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Coco des moustaches, mirlo, joli, Gentil coquiqui."

Children might dance over the bridge of Avignon to the lilt of this cruel little song.

The most popular English and Scottish rhymes are less gay, but not more merciful. If the persecuted mice save their necks, it is only because they sit starving at home.

There are only three verses hallowed by Mother Goose's sanction, in which the cat does not appear as Nimrod, and which, in their way, are as pretty as the French favourites.

And, best and oldest of the three;