Iii

Said Thomas, with the round straw hat, “My popgun bring to me, And hey! to shoot the Tabby Cat Up in the Cherry-tree!

“Last night she stole my supper all,-- She must be better taught; And I shall make her caterwaul ‘I’m sorry,’ as she ought.”

Then Thomas, taking hasty aim At Tabby on the bough, Hit Tabby’s mistress, an old Dame Who had a Brindled Cow.

The Brindled Cow could not abide To see her mistress struck. And after trembling Thomas hied,-- Said he, “It’s just my luck!”

She tossed him once, she tossed him twice, When Tabby at her flew, Saying, “Tom, your custard was so nice That I will fight for you.”

The old Dame flung the pellet back, And, when Tom picked it up, He cried, “The pellet has turned, good lack! To a custard in a cup!”

And so it had! The Brindled Cow, The Dame, and Tabby Cat Were much surprised. “It’s strange, I vow,” Said Tom in the round hat.

But nothing came amiss to him; He ate the custard clean-- There was a brown mark round the rim To show where it had been.