 
... To my gaze the phantoms of the Past, The cherished fictions of my boyhood, rise: ... ... The House that Jack built—and the Malt that lay Within the House—the Rat that ate the Malt— The Cat, that in that sanguinary way Punished the poor thing for its venial fault— The Worrier-Dog—the Cow with crumpled horn— And then—ah yes! and then—the Maiden all forlorn! O Mrs. Gurton—(may I call thee Gammer?) Thou more than mother to my infant mind! I loved thee better than I loved my grammar— I used to wonder why the Mice were blind, And who was gardener to Mistress Mary, And what—I don't know still—was meant by "quite contrary." C. S. C. COMPARATIVE STUDIES |
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