The two little skeezucks once heard of a Fair Far off from their native isle, And they asked of King Fan if they mightn't go there Was a good-natured man (As good-natured monarchs go), And howbeit he swore that all Fairs were a bore, He hadn't the heart to say "No." So the two little skeezucks sailed off to the Fair In a great big gum canoe, And I fancy they had a good time there, For they tarried a year or two. And old King Fan at last began They sailed into the bay To the tune of "Hail to the Chief!" The two little skeezucks fell down on the sand, Till his majesty graciously bade them stand And then quoth he: "Divulge unto me What happenings have hapt to you; The two little skeezucks assured their king That the Fair would have been a different thing THE TWO LITTLE SKEEZUCKS "The folk over there in no wise compare Why, they comb out their heads Instead of in caverns and trees!" 347 The two little skeezucks went on to say Which (as every one knows) Are irksome to primitive laddies, While, with forks and with spoons, they 're denied the sweet boons That accrue from free use of one's paddies! "And now that you 're speaking of things to eat," Interrupted the monarch of Boo, "We beg to inquire if you happened to meet With a nice missionary or two?" "No, that we did not; in that curious spot Where were gathered the fruits of the earth, Of that special kind Which Your Nibs has in mind There appeared a deplorable dearth!" Then loud laughed that monarch in heathenish mirth And they cried: "There is elsewhere no land upon earth And the skeezucks, tho' glad Of the journey they'd had, Climbed up in their cocoanut trees, Where they still may be seen with no shirts to keep clean Or trousers that bag at the knees. THE BOW-LEG BOY WHO should come up the road one day Such a funny little boy! Such a dear little bow-leg boy!" He took out his box and he opened it wide, What a funny little boy! What a dear little bow-leg boy!" Observing a strict geometrical law, They cut out his panties with a circular saw; What a funny little boy! What a dear little bow-leg boy!" They gave him a wheel and away he went Speeding along to his heart's content; And he sits so straight and he pedals so strong That the folks all say as he bowls along: "What a cute little boy! What a funny little boy! What a dear little bow-leg boy!" THE BOW-LEG BOY With his eyes aflame and his cheeks aglow, And the world is filled and thrilled with the joy The funny little boy! The dear little bow-leg boy! If ever the doctor-man comes my way A funny little boy A dear little bow-leg boy! 349 ECHOES FROM THE SABINE FARM BY EUGENE AND ROSWELL MARTIN FIELD TO M. L. GRAY (DEDICATION) COME, dear old friend, and with us twain I know a certain ilex-tree Whence leaps a fountain cool and clear. Come, let us haste to share its cheer! Should woo our thoughts from mortal things. But, good old friend, I charge thee well, Round him unschooled in female guile. And, lo, sweet friend! behold this cup, And we would drink to thee and thine. 350 |