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 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
awfulest 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 that 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.)