Page:Pekinese Rhymes (G. Vitale, 1896).djvu/74

 small fishes, turtles, and so forth. When the wares are ready and dry, the small merchants sing these verses as if they meant to sell the products of their work. 泥餑餑ni2 puo1 puo1, is the exact equivalent of the english "mud-pie".

TRANSLATION

Here are mud pies ― here are mud figures ― the old man drinks wine and does not offer to others ― who buys my ware is a good fellow ― and who does not buy mine is a turtle's egg.

水 角媽下 兒 觭你買 牛 出爹你 水 先你給

牛 兒 後出頭 燒肝 兒燒羊 肉

In all countries children have verses to address snails, and in China too, although the meaning of the verses is not to be looked for. 水 牛 兒 shuei niu 'r， the snail.

Snail, snail 一 you first show out your horns and