The Cats Have Come to Tea

Marigold Garden
by Kate Greenaway

WHAT did she see–oh, what did she see,
As she stood leaning against the tree?
Why all the Cats had come to tea.

What a fine turn out–from round about,
All the houses had let them out,
And here they were with scamper and shout.

“Mew–mew–mew!” was all they could say,
And, “We hope we find you well to-day.”

Oh, what should she do–oh, what should she do?
What a lot of milk they would get through;
For here they were with “Mew–mew–mew!”

She didn’t know–oh, she didn’t know,
If bread and butter they’d like or no;
They might want little mice, oh! oh! oh!

Dear me–oh, dear me,
All the cats had come to tea.

HAPPY DAYS

by Kate Greenaway

“Are you going next week to see Phillis and Phoebe?

Phillis on Monday will be just fourteen.

She says we shall all have our tea in the garden,

And afterwards have some nice games on the green.

“I wanted a new frock, but mother said, ‘No,’

So I must be content with my old one you see.

But then white is so pretty, and kind Aunt Matilda

Has sent down a beautiful necklace for me.”

GOING TO SEE GRANDMAMMA

by Kate Greenaway

Little Molly and Damon

Are walking so far,

For they’re going to see

Their kind Grandmamma.

And they very well know,

When they get there she’ll take

From out of her cupboard

Some very nice cake.

And into her garden

They know they may run,

And pick some red currants,

And have lots of fun.

So Damon to doggie

Says, “How do you do?”

And asks his mamma

If he may not go too.

FIRST ARRIVALS

Marigold Garden
Pictures and Rhymes
by KATE GREENAWAY

It is a Party, do you know,

And there they sit, all in a row,

Waiting till the others come,

To begin to have some fun.

Hark! the bell rings sharp and clear,

Other little friends appear;

And no longer all alone

They begin to feel at home.

To them a little hard is Fate,

Yet better early than too late;

Fancy getting there forlorn,

With the tea and cake all gone.

Wonder what they’ll have for tea;

Hope the jam is strawberry.

Wonder what the dance and game;

Feel so very glad they came.

Very Happy may you be,

May you much enjoy your tea.

School is over

From Under the Window by Kate Greenaway

School is over,
Oh, what fun!
Lessons finished,
Play begun.

Who’ll run fastest,
You or I?
Who’ll laugh loudest?
Let us try.

Margery Brown, on the top of the hill

From Under the Window by Kate Greenaway

“Margery Brown, on the top of the hill,
Why are you standing, idle still?”
“Oh, I’m looking over to London town;
Shall I see the horsemen if I go down?”

“Margery Brown, on the top of the hill,
Why are you standing, listening still?”
“Oh, I hear the bells of London ring,
And I hear the men and the maidens sing.”

“Margery Brown, on the top of the hill,
Why are you standing, waiting still?”
“Oh, a knight is there, but I can’t go down,
For the bells ring strangely in London town.”