The House That Jack Built, a Game of Forfeits To Which is Added, the Entertaining Fable of "The Magpie"

Excerpt

This is the House that Jack built.

This is the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.

This is the Rat, that eat the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.

This is the Cat, that killed the Rat, that eat the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.

This is the Dog, that worried the Cat, that killed the Rat, that eat the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.

This is the Cow with the crumpled horn, that tossed the Dog, that worried the Cat, that killed the Rat, that eat the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.

This is the Maiden, all forlorn, that milked the Cow with the crumpled horn, that tossed the Dog, that worried the Cat, that killed the Rat, that eat the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.

This is the Man all tattered and torn, that kissed the Maiden all forlorn, who milked the Cow with the crumpled horn, that tossed the Dog, that worried the Cat, that killed the Rat, that eat the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.

This is the Priest all shaven and shorn, who married the Man all tattered and torn, unto the Maiden all forlorn, who milked the Cow with the crumpled horn, that tossed the Dog, that worried the Cat, that killed the Rat, that eat the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.

This is the Cock that crowed in the morn, that waked the Priest all shaven and shorn, that married the Man all tattered and torn, unto the Maiden all forlorn, who milked the Cow with the crumpled horn, that tossed the Dog, that worried the Cat, that killed the Rat, that eat the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.

The Magpie alone, of all the birds, had the art of building a nest; the form of which was with a covering over head, and only a small hole to creep out at.

The rest of the birds being without houses, desired the pie to teach them how to build one. A day is appointed, and they all meet. The Magpie then says, “You must first lay two sticks across, thus.”—“Aye,” says the Crow, “I thought that was the way to begin.”—“Then lay a little straw, moss, and feathers, in such a manner as this.”—“Aye, without doubt,” says the Starling, “that necessarily follows; any one could tell how to do that.”

When the Pie had gone on teaching them till the nest was built half way, and every bird in his turn had known something or other, he left off and said, “Gentlemen, I find you all know the method of building nests as well, if not better, than I do myself, therefore you cannot want any of my instruction:” So saying, he flew away, and left them to upbraid each other with their folly; which is visible to this day, as few birds beside the Magpie know how to build more than half a nest.

FINIS.

Printed & Sold by John Marshall, 140 Fleet Street London.