"My dearest Jenny Wren,
If you will but be mine,
You shall dine on cherry-pie,
And drink nice currant-wine.
"I'll dress you like a goldfinch,
Or like a peacock gay;
So if you'll have me, Jenny,
Let us appoint the day."
Jenny blushed behind her fan,
And thus declared her mind:
"Then let it be to-morrow, Bob,—
I take your offer kind;
"Cherry-pie is very good,
So is currant-wine;
But I'll wear my russet gown,
And never dress too fine."
Robin rose up early,
At the break of day;
He flew to Jenny Wren's house,
To sing a roundelay.
He met the Cock and Hen,
And bade the Cock declare,
This was his wedding-day
With Jenny Wren the fair.
The Cock then blew his horn,
To let the neighbours know
This was Robin's wedding-day,
And they might see the show.
At first came Parson Rook,
With his spectacles and band;
And one of Mother Hubbard's books
He held within his hand.
Then followed him the Lark,
For he could sweetly sing,
And he was to be the clerk
At Cock Robin's wedding.
He sang of Robin's love
For Little Jenny Wren;
And when he came unto the end,
Then he began again.
The Goldfinch came on next,
To give away the Bride;
The Linnet, being bridesmaid,
Walked by Jenny's side;
And as she was a-walking,
Said, "Upon my word,
I think that your Cock Robin
Is a very pretty bird."
The Blackbird and the Thrush,
And charming Nightingale,
Whose sweet "jug" sweetly echoes
Through every grove and dale;
The Sparrow and Tomtit,
And many more, were there;
All came to see the wedding
Of Jenny Wren the fair.
The Bullfinch walked by Robin,
And thus to him did say,
"Pray mark, friend Robin Redbreast,
That Goldfinch dressed so gay:
"What though her gay apparel
Becomes her very well,
Yet Jenny's modest dress and look
Must bear away the bell."