DAME HICKORY

“Dame Hickory, Dame Hickory,

Here's sticks for your fire,

Furze-twigs, and oak-twigs,

And beech-twigs, and briar!”

But when old Dame Hickory came for to see,

She found‘ twas the voice of the False Faerie.

“Dame Hickory, Dame Hickory,

Here's meat for your broth,

Goose-flesh, and hare's flesh,

And pig's trotters both!”

But when old Dame Hickory came for to see,

She found‘ twas the voice of the False Faerie.

“Dame Hickory, Dame Hickory,

Here's a wolf at your door,

His teeth grinning white,

And his tongue wagging sore!”

“Nay!” said Dame Hickory, “ye False Faerie!

But a wolf‘ twas indeed, and famished was he.

“Dame Hickory, Dame Hickory,

Here's buds for your tomb,

Bramble, and lavender,

And rosemary bloom!”

“Wh-s-st!” said Dame Hickory, “ye False Faerie,

Ye cry like a wolf, ye do, and trouble poor me.”