Xiii

Now, then, let us tell a tale-- Six travellers in a dale, Feeling weak about the knees, Resting under six elm-trees; Six robbers, after them, Draw their swords and say, “Ahem!” Then the travellers, who have not Any weapons with them got, Shake and shiver in their boots, And they play upon their flutes Then the robbers six remark To the travellers, “It is dark.” “No,” say they, “it is not quite.-- Every traveller strikes a light! Will you see some conjuring tricks?” “Yes,” say all the robbers six; Then six tigers and six lions Came along and roared defiance, And the thieves and travellers too Could not tell what next to do: “This,” said they, “is very sad!” Then there came an earthquake bad, And the air was very hot, And it swallowed up the lot.