Part 18

Little Bo-Peep and Jacky Horner;

Nancy Etticoat and Jack-be-nimble;

Mary and the little Boy who lives in the Lane.

All take ribbons and stand around the Maypole. Are you all ready?

Children. Yes, Mother Goose, we are all ready when the music begins.

Mother Goose. Old King Cole, will you have your three fiddlers play for the dance?

King Cole. With pleasure, dear Mother Goose--and I'll sing:

Hey diddle, diddle! the cat and the fiddle; The cow jumped over the moon; The little dog laughed to see such craft, And the dish ran away with the spoon.

Children (sing).

Old King Cole was a merry old soul; And a merry old soul was he; He called for his pipe and he called for his bowl, And he called for his fiddlers three.

Mother Goose. These are very good songs, but they will not do for a Maypole dance. Here, Little Tommy Tucker, sing for your supper.

Tommy Tucker. All right, Mother Goose.

Handy Spandy, Jack-a-dandy, Loved plum cake and sugar candy; He bought some at a grocer's shop, And out he came, hop, hop, hop.

Children.

Little Tommy Tucker, sings for his supper; What shall he eat? White bread and butter; How shall he eat it without any knife? How shall he marry without any wife?

Mother Goose. Why, who can that man be? He is tumbling down in a very queer way! Who are you?

Man.

I'm the Man in the Moon, Come down too soon To ask the way to Norwich. I went by the south, And burnt my mouth, Eating cold pease-porridge.

Are Jack and Jill here?

Jack. Here I am, Mr. Moon-Man.

Jill. Oh, dear Mr. Moon-Man, where is your dog and your bundle of sticks?

Jack. Tell us what the children play in your country, the Moon!

Children. Please do, Mr. Moon-Man!

Moon-Man. Well, children, I can tell you how they learn to count. They all say--

One, two; buckle my shoe; Three, four; shut the door; Five, six; pick up sticks;

and then they all pick up sticks and put them on the fire.

Tom. I don't think that is much fun!

Children. Of course you don't. You don't like sticks.