Children’s Verses

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21041, 17 February 1940, Page 14 (Supplement)

Children’s Verses

THE KING’S CRUMPETS I had a horse, And a horse as soft as silk, With shoes black as coals, And a coat as white as milk. I trotted to V'jnd?o r Just as fast as I could fly, To see if 1 couia see me King And Queen go riding by. I was trick-a-trotting there Along the busy highway, When what should I see But the King coming my way. I hid behind an oak tree Where safely I could spy, And not be in the way, When the King went riding by. The King rode a charger, And a charger inky black. And my horse whinnied “ Neigh ”! And the charger answered back. I blushed for Dobbin’s manners As red as red could be, When the King reigned in his charger And stood looking straight at me. “ Whoa,” said the King, Looking brave as brave could be. I think there’s someone hiding there, Beyond yon oaken tree. Come you out of that, sir, As quickly as you can. I think you are a footpad. Or a thieving highwayman.” “No sir! Not I sir,” I said and doffed my hat. “ I’d think shame to be a highwayman Or anything like that. I’ve trotted down to Windsor, sir, On purpose for to try If I could see the King and Queen. Go riding, riding by.” “ That,” said the King, “ Is a loyal thing to do. I’m very glad you saw me, And I’m glad that I saw you. Perhaps if you’re not busy, You might come along to tea. We have crumpets on a Wednesday And there’s just enough for three.’’ “ Now,” cried the King, If we trot we shan’t be late.” So we trotted on together Till we reached the palace gate; And when the King had rung, And we’d been let in by the maid. We went straight up to the drawing room Where tea was ready laid, There was the Queen too, With crumpets in a dish, And jam and shrimps and everything That anyone could wish. I smiled and bowed politely. And the Queen said, ** How d’you do? It is so nice your calling in. How many?—One or two? ” A silver dusk was falling When at last they said “ Good-bye." And, as I rode, the evening star Rode lonely down the sky. But not a jot I cared for that, Nor any other thing. For I’d helped a Queen to shrimps. And taken crumpets with a King. —Rodney Bennett.