I was playing with my hoop along the road Just where the bushes are, when, suddenly, There came a shout.--I ran away and stowed Myself beneath a bush, and watched to see What made the noise, and then, around the bend, I saw a woman running. She was old And wrinkle-faced, and had big teeth.--The end Of her red shawl caught on a bush and rolled Right off her, and her hair fell down.--Her face Was awful white, and both her eyes looked sick, And she was talking queer. "_O God of Grace!_" Said she, "_where is the child?_" and flew back quick The way she came, and screamed, and shook her hands; ... Maybe she was a witch from foreign lands. THE CORAL ISLAND His arms were round a chest of oaken wood, It was clamped with brass and iron studs, and seemed An awful weight. After a while he stood And I stole near to him.--His white eyes gleamed As he peeped secretly about; he laid The oaken chest upon the ground, then drew A great knife from his belt, and stuck the blade Into the ground and dug. The clay soon flew In all directions underneath a tree, And when the hole was deep he put the box Down there, and threw the clay back cunningly, Stamping the ground quite flat; then like a fox He crept among the trees.... I went next day To dig the treasure up, but I lost my way. THE COW Cow, Cow! I and thou Are looking at each other's eyes You are lying on the grass Eating every time I pass, And you do not seem to be Ever in perplexity: You are good I'm sure, and not Fit for nothing but the pot: For your bearing is so kind, And your quietness so wise: Cow, Cow! I and thou Are looking at each other's eyes. THE OLD MAN An old man sat beneath a tree Alone; So still was he That, if he had been carved in stone, He could not be More quiet or more cold: He was an ancient man More than A thousand ages old. WHAT THE SNAKE SAW A little girl and a big ugly man Went down the road. The girl was crying And asking to go home, but when she ran He hit her on the head and sent her flying, And called her a young imp, and said he'd break Her neck unless she went with him, and then He smacked her on the cheek.--I was a snake At that time crawling through a robber's den, And diamonds were sticking to my tongue-- (That's the best dodge), but when I saw the way He beat the little girl I up and flung A stone at him. My aim was bad that day Because I hit the girl ... and she did sing! But he jumped round and cursed like anything. THE HORSE A sparrow hopped about the street, And he was not a bit afraid; He flew between a horse's feet, And ate his supper undismayed: I think myself the horse knew well The bird came for the grains that fell.