Page:Edward Buttoneye and his adventures.djvu/8

 And, though he never could explain, I don't mind telling you That in that box he had been lain By those who made him, limb and brain, And stitched his eyes on, too. It's odd, you'll think, they joined his toes And gave him such a head and nose.

But there on the broad countryside Was he, a homeless lad. Another might have sat and cried, But Edward, no. "Whate'er betide, If work is to be had, I'll take," thought he, "what Fortune brings And live in hopes of better things."

A farmhouse stood not far away, So first there Edward tried, And was engaged to herd by day And night the farmer's sheep, which stray, Whene'er they can, and hide. And so a paper Edward bought And sat and watched and read and thought.