and
The
Calico Cat
The Duel
Eugene Field. 1850–1895
The
Calico Cat
The Duel
Eugene Field. 1850–1895
THE
GINGHAM dog and the calico cat
Side
by side on the table sat;
'T
was 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
was n'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!
(Never
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 news from the Chinese plate!)
Next
morning where the two had sat
They
found no trace of dog or cat;
And
some folks think unto this day
That
burglars stole that pair away!
But
the truth about the cat and 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.)
All Through the
Night
Sleep
my child and peace attend thee, All Through the Night
Guardian
angels God will send thee, All Through the Night.
Soft
the drowsy hours are creeping, hill and dale in slumber sleeping,
I
my longing vigil keeping, All Through the Night.
While
the moon her watch is keeping, All Through the Night
While
the weary world is sleeping, All Through the Night.
O'er
thy spirit gently stealing, visions of the light revealing,
Breathes
a pure and holy feeling, All Through the Night.