Front matter
Reading edition
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They laid COCK ROBIN in his grave, And after that they sung a stave, And then they sent to fetch the sparrow Who kill'd him with the bow and arrow.
Says JUSTICE HAWK I do assure ye, We'll try the rogue, By Judge and Jury. The JUDGE and JURY being met, And plac'd in order down they set, Or else they stood upon their feet, Because I think they'd ne'er a seat.
Says the Judge to the Jury, I'd have you take care, When a bird's life's at stake, Its a serious affair. The CUCKOO came in And began for to hollow As he dragg'd the poor Sparrow, In fast by the collar;
When I found him, my Lord, He was robbing a barn; He must live by thieving, Since nothing he'll earn. Says the SPARROW its false, Both me and my wife, Are as honest as ever You was in your life.
A few grains of wheat Lay at the barn door, We pick'd them all up, And did nothing more. Says MAG that has nothing To do with the matter, I saw when you shot, And began for to chatter.
I call'd DOCTOR PUSS To examine the wound, He knows what he saw, And he'll tell, I'll be bound. Says PUSS I'm a doctor, So mind what I say, I happen'd to pass on The very same day.
I saw the poor Robin, The Sparrow had shot. He was quite dead and Cold, So was not very hot. Says the DOG I ran out From my kennel adjacent, Or I believe Doctor Puss Would have eaten his patient.
However Cock Robin, Was dead, I believe, And that is the reason That all of you grieve.
Says the PIG I was hastily call'd from my stye, But just too late to see poor Robin die; I was ask'd by the Dog if I thought he was dead, Ah! both dead and cold was the answer I made. Says the ASS I was Coroner in this affair, We found Robin wounded, But could not tell where.
We put on our spectacles, Those who had got 'em, And found that his wound Lay just in his bottom. Says the DRAKE I was swimming Along with my Duck, The Sparrow sat on a tree Just by the brook.
He took up his arrow, And likewise his bow, And he shot, I believe, But I'm sure I don't know. Says the SWAN I was driving Along with the stream, Between sleep and awake, In a sort of a dream.
I saw the sharp arrow Fly from the bow; I'm sure that I saw it, Or else I dreamt so. Says the COCK I was standing, And thinking no harm, When I saw Robin fall, I gave the alarm.
I gave the alarm With such a loud crow, If he'd been but asleep, I'd have wak'd him I know.
The TURKEY was suddenly rous'd by a noise, Which he knew to be Mr. Chanticlear's voice; When the Bat he beheld in pursuit of the Sparrow, But never saw either his bow or his arrow. Says the BAT I was constable, Sir, of the night, Though my candle was out, I've a pretty good sight.
I pursu'd the murderer To the barn door, He was took by the Cuckoo, I know nothing more.
Says the APE I saw the Sparrow take flight The Cock gave the alarm and my beast he took fright, And good reason I have to remember it well, For upon the hard ground on my bottom I fell! Says JUDGE HAWKE you are Such a murdering elf, I think I shall kill you, And eat you myself.
So he eat up the Sparrow, The rest got away, They thought it not safe Near such Justice to stay.
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