Libbety, libbety, libbety-lat,
Who can do this? and who can do that?
And who can do anything better than that?
—Cornwall (Folk-lore Journal, v. 59).
Limpy Coley
A boy’s game undescribed.—Patterson’s Antrim and Down Glossary.
Little Dog I call you
A number of girls stand in a line with their backs to a wall. One of their number is sent away to a distance, but remains within call. Another girl, who stands in front of the line, asks the girls one by one what they would like if they could obtain their desires. After she has asked every one, she tells them to turn their faces to the wall, and calls after the girl who was sent away, saying, “Little Dog, I call you.” The girl replies, “I shan’t come to please you.” “I’ll get a stick and make you,” is the rejoinder. “I don’t care for that.” “I’ve got a rice pudding for you.” “I shan’t come for that.” “I’ve got a dish of bones.” “I’ll come for that.” The Dog then comes. The girls have been previously told not to laugh whilst the one who stands out is talking to the Dog. Then the girl says to the Dog—
All the birds in the air,
All the fishes in the sea,
Come and pick me out (for example)
The girl with the golden ball.
If the girl who desired the golden ball laughs, the Dog picks her out. If nobody laughs, he guesses who the girl is that has wished for the golden ball. If the Dog guesses correctly, she goes and stands behind him, and if he guesses incorrectly she goes and stands behind the one who has been asking the questions. They continue this until they get to the last girl or girl at the end of the row, who must have desired to be—
A brewer or a baker,
Or a candlestick maker,
Or a penknife maker.
Then the questioner says—