University of Virginia Library


89

DUMPY DUCKY.

Quack, quack, quack,
Three white and four black.
Your coat, you saucy fellow,
Shades off to green and yellow:
Do you think I like you best
Because you are prettiest?
Quack, quack, quack!
White spots on his back,
Chasing his long-necked brothers,
I see him, old duck-mothers;—
You need not quack so loud,
Nor look so stiff and proud.

90

Quack, quack, quack!
Ducks, you have a knack
Of talking and saying nothing,
And showing off fine clothing
Like many folks I see
Who wiser ought to be.
Quack, quack, quack!
Please to stop your clack!
They call me Dumpy Ducky;
Do you not think you are lucky,
You, ducklings all, to be
Named for a girl like me?
Quack, quack, quack!
What is there that we lack,—
You with a pond for swimming,
I with my bucket brimming,—
You with your web-toes neat,
I with my stout bare feet?

93

Quack, quack, quack!
You make a funny track
When you waddle through the garden.
And, ducks, I beg your pardon,
But I do not choose to try
A swim in your pond; not I!
Quack, quack, quack!
Now you may all turn back,
Your home is in the water;
I am the Dutchman's daughter,
And my plump little sisters cry,
“We want a drink!” Good b'ye!