The Poetry Corner

The Four Presents

By Walter Crane

I had four brothers over the sea, Perrie, Merrie, Dixi, Domine; And they each sent a present unto me. Petrum, Partrum, Paradisi, Tempore, Perrie, Merrie, Dixi, Domine. The first sent a goose without a bone, Perrie, Merrie, Dixi, Domine; The second sent a cherry without a stone, Petrum, Partrum, Paradisi, Tempore, Perrie, Merrie, Dixi, Domine. The third sent a blanket without a thread, Perrie, Merrie, Dixi, Domine; The fourth sent a book that no man could read, Petrum, Partrum, Paradisi, Tempore, Perrie, Merrie, Dixi, Domine. When the cherry's in the blossom, there is no stone, Perrie, Merrie, Dixi, Domine; When the goose is in the egg-shell, there is no bone. Petrum, Partrum, Paradisi, Tempore, Perrie, Merrie, Dixi, Domine. When the wool's on the sheep's back, there's no thread, Perrie, Merrie, Dixi, Domine: When the book's in the press, no man can read Petrum, Partrum, Paradisi, Tempore, Perrie, Merrie, Dixi, Domine.