ONCE

girls

Lived near the White Horse Cellar, The elder names were Maud and Jane, The younger, Cinderella.

The first two thought themselves A 1,
Whom all men must admire ;
So Cindy did the dirty work,
And had to tend the fire.

One night there was a charity ball
Held somewhere in the parish,
And they had been invited all,

For they were passing fairish.

Of course we'll go,' Miss Maud replied, 'But really now, oh, dear me ! To ask this sad untidy child!

They can't know her, I fear me.'

In muslin white and flowers,

And now must work, or wash and wait,
Through many weary hours.

The cab departing, down she went,
With tears into the kitchen,
Put all the pots and kettles straight,
And then took up her stitching.

The night was cold, and she was sad, (That ball was her desire).

Now, wearied with her hard day's toil,

She nodded to the fire.

Hark! what is that? I heard a noise!

Oh! can it be a mouse?

No wonder they come back again,
Since Puss has fled the house!'

A little form, a tiny voice

'My dear, your sorrows smother, And you shall also grace the ball, For I'm your fairy mother.'

The visitor then shook her wand,
And in ran four fat mice,
Who by a magic touch were turned
To horses in a trice.

A lemon tumbled from a shelf,
And rolled upon the floor;
The fairy changed it to a coach
Ere it had reached the door.

Some black-beetles were then impressed

For footmen and for driver;
The fairy changed them ready dressed,
She was such a contriver!

Then Cinderella, with a touch,
Is clothed with silk and lace;
No trouble to prepare herself-
Not e'en to wash her face.

The ball's beyond description fine; She danced each waltz and galop, And no quadrille did she sit still,

But sailed round like a shallop.

'Now really, sir, I must decline; 'Tis time for me to go, sir.' 'Oh, stay! oh, stay but this next waltz!'

'I really must say No, sir.'

The clock struck one, and off she ran :
She felt her raiment slipping;
Her shoes feel loose, but it is no use,
Without one off she's tripping.

[much:

'My dear,' the little fairy cried, 'Now go and have a dance; Don't eat too much, don't flirt too Your fortune I'll advance. But mind you're home again by one, Or all my gifts will vanish; You, left but in your underclothes,

They from the scene would banish. Besides, your sisters must not know

What you have been about;
So mind that you return in time-
Don't let them find you out.'

The youth caught but a parting glance
As she fled through the door,
But pressed her slipper to his heart-
He picked it from the floor.

The morrow morn as Maud and Jane
Were talking o'er the ball,
The Sheriff, in his coach of state,

Approached to make a call.

'I come with urgent orders from
His worship the Lord Mayor,
To bring a box of sweetmeats
To you three ladies fair,

And all that were invited

To grace the ball last night,

And ask you all to try this shoe,
If it fits loose or tight.

He found it on the staircase,

And wishes to restore

It to its rightful owner;

Perchance, you guess wherefore?

Then Maud, whose feet were clumsy,
Declined to try, and smiled;
'That shoe to me appears to be
The slipper of a child.'

But Jane, who down to toes has pride,

Resolves to get her foot in it: She tried and tried, and nearly cried, But no, her sole can't put in it. 'Now let this other lady try,

Hark! what is that? a knock-a ring!
And Cindy, with surprise,
Starts from her seat in wonder,

And yawns, and rubs her eyes.

'Tis Maud and Jane come home;

They did not like the ball.
Had they but known how stupid,
They'd never gone at all.

In fact, poor Cinderella,
Although she'd never been,
Enjoyed the ball far better

Than they who graced the scene.