you wish,—­
      Never afeard are we!”
      So cried the stars to the fishermen three,
                    Wynken,
                    Blynken,
                    And Nod.

    All night long their nets they threw
      To the stars in the twinkling foam,—­
    Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,
      Bringing the fishermen home: 
   ’Twas all so pretty a sail, it seemed
      As if it could not be;
    And some folk thought ’twas a dream they’d dreamed
      Of sailing that beautiful sea;
      But I shall name you the fishermen three: 
                    Wynken,
                    Blynken,
                    And Nod.

    Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
      And Nod is a little head,
    And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
      Is a wee one’s trundle-bed;
    So shut your eyes while Mother sings
      Of wonderful sights that be,
    And you shall see the beautiful things
      As you rock on the misty sea
      Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three,
                    Wynken,
                    Blynken,
                    And Nod.

EUGENE FIELD.

 THE DUEL.

“The Duel,” by Eugene Field (1850-95), is almost the most popular humorous poem that has come under my notice.  In making such a collection as this it is not easy to find poems at once delicate, witty, and graphic.  I have taught “The Duel” hundreds of times, and children invariably love it.

    The gingham dog and the calico cat
    Side by side on the table sat;
   ’Twas half-past twelve, and (what do you think!)
    Nor one nor t’other had slept a wink! 
    The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate
    Appeared to know as sure as fate
    There was going to be a terrible spat.
    (I wasn’t there; I simply state
    What was told to me by the Chinese plate!)

The gingham dog went “bow-wow-wow!” And the calico cat replied “mee-ow!” The air was littered, an hour or so, With bits of gingham and calico, While the old Dutch clock in the chimney-place Up with its hands before its face, For it always dreaded a family row! (Now mind:  I’m only telling you What the old Dutch clock declares is true!)

The Chinese plate looked very blue, And wailed, “Oh, dear! what shall we do!” But the gingham dog and the calico cat Wallowed this way and tumbled that, Employing every tooth and claw In the awfullest way you ever saw—­ And, oh! how the gingham and calico flew! (Don’t fancy I exaggerate!  I got my views from the Chinese plate!)

Next morning where the two had sat They found no trace of the dog or cat; And some folks think unto this day That burglars stole the pair away!  But the truth about the cat and the pup Is this:  They ate each other up!  Now what do you really think of that! (The old Dutch clock it told me so, And that is how I came to know.)

EUGENE FIELD.