VII
Six White Mice, with harness on,
What do you think of Cousin John,
Who taught them so,
And made them go?—
Six white mice, with harness on!
A wee coach, gilt like the Lord Mayor’s own!
Made by Cousin John alone,
Bright and gay,—
On a Lord Mayor’s Day
Just such a coach is the Lord Mayor’s own!
Marian’s Doll come out for a ride,
Dressed like a queen in pomp and pride:
The six wee mice,
That trot so nice,
Draw Marian’s Doll come out for a ride!
Every mouse had a silver bell
Round its neck, as I’ve heard tell;
Tinkle tink!—
But who would think
Of a harnessed mouse, with a silver bell?
“What can six white mice intend?”
Thought Queen Mab, with her hair on end—
“And silver bells,
And what-not-else—
What can six white mice intend?
“When was such a procession seen?
It frightens me, as I’m a Queen!”
So she stopped her tricks,
And her coach-and-six
Drove away with the Fairy Queen.