Page:Field Poems of Childhood.djvu/196



LAY that my knee was a calico mare

Saddled and bridled for Bumpville;

Leap to the back of this steed, if you dare,

And gallop away to Bumpville!

I hope you'll be sure to sit fast in your seat,

For this calico mare is prodigiously fleet,

And many adventures you're likely to meet

As you journey along to Bumpville.

This calico mare both gallops and trots

While whisking you off to Bumpville;

She paces, she shies, and she stumbles, in spots,

In the tortuous road to Bumpville;

And sometimes this strangely mercurial steed

Will suddenly stop and refuse to proceed,

Which, all will admit, is vexatious indeed,

When one is en route to Bumpville!

She's scared of the cars when the engine goes "Toot!"

Down by the crossing at Bumpville;

You'd better look out for that treacherous brute

Bearing you off to Bumpville!