The Poetry Corner

The Frog Who Would A Wooing Go

By Charles Henry Bennett

A Frog he would a-wooing go, Whether his mother would let him or no. Off he set with his opera-hat. On the road he met with a Rat. "Pray, Mr. Rat, will you go with me, Kind Mrs. Mousey for to see?" They soon arrived at Mousey's hall. They gave a loud tap, and they gave a loud call. "Pray, Mrs. Mouse, are you within?" "Yes, kind sirs, and sitting to spin." "Pray, Mrs. Mouse, now give us some beer, That Froggy and I may have good cheer." "Pray, Mr. Frog, will you give us a song? Let the subject be something that's not very long." "Indeed, Mrs. Mouse," replied the Frog, "A cold has made me as hoarse as a hog." "Since you have caught cold, Mr. Frog," Mousey said, "I'll sing you a song that I have just made." As they were in glee and merrymaking, A Cat and her kittens came tumbling in. The Cat she seized the Rat by the crown, The kittens they pulled the little Mouse down. This put Mr. Frog in a terrible fright, He took up his hat, and he wished them good night. As Froggy was crossing it over a brook, A lilywhite Duck came and gobbled him up. So here is an end of one, two, three-- The Rat, the Mouse, and little Froggy.