1. A Joke (Anonymous)
They walked in the lane together,
The sky was covered with stars,
They reached the gate in silence,
He lifted down the bars.
She neither smiled nor thanked him
Because she knew not how;
For he was just a farmer’s boy
And she – the farmer’s cow.
2. School Is Over (by Robert l. Stevenson) School is over, Oh, what fun! Lessons finished, Play begun. Who’ll run fastest, You or I? Who’ll laugh loudest? Let us try.
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3. After the Party (by William Wise) Jonathan Blake Ate too much cake, He isn’t himself today; He’s tucked up in bed With a feverish head, And he doesn’t much care to play. Jonathan Blake Ate too much cake, And three kinds of ice-cream too – From latest reports He’s quite out of sorts*, And I’m sure the reports are true. I’m sorry to state That he also ate Six pickles, a pie and a pear; In fact I confess It’s a reasonable guess He ate practically everything there. Yes, Jonathan Blake Ate too much cake, So he’s not at his best today. But there’s no need for sorrow – If you come back tomorrow, I’m sure he’ll be out to play. *out of sorts - не в духе; | 4. Mice I think mice Are rather nice. Their tails are long, Their faces are small, They haven’t any Chins at all. Their ears are pink, Their teeth are white, They run about The house at night. They nibble things They shouldn’t touch, And no one seems To like them much. But I think mice Are nice.
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5. Who’s In? (by Elizabeth Fleming) The door is shut fast And everyone’s out.” But people don’t know What they’re talking about! Says the fly on the wall, And the flame on the coals, And the dog on his rug, And the mice in their holes, And the kitten curled up, And the spiders that spin – “What, everyone’s out? Why, everyone’s in!”
| 6. My new Neighbour (by Rose Fyleman) Have you had your tonsils out? Do you go to school? Do you know that there are frogs Down by the Willow Pool? Are you good at cricket? Have you got a bat? Do you know the proper way To feed a white rat? Are there any apples On your apple tree? Do you think your mother Will ask me in to tea?
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7. I’ll Try The little boy who says “I’ll try”, Will climb to the hill-top. The little boy who says “I can’t”, Will at the bottom stop. I’ll try” does great things every day; “I can’t” gets nothing done. Be sure that you say “I’ll try”, And let “I can’t” alone.
| 8. Autumn Leaves (by Margaret P. Sutphen) The leaves are dropping from the trees, Yellow, brown, and red. They patter softly like the rain – One landed on my head! But when the sleep of winter comes They cuddle down to rest; Then Mother Nature tucks them in With snow as she thinks best.
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9. No Enemies (by Charles Mackay) You have no enemies, you say? Alas! My friend, the boast is poor; He who has mingled in the fray Of duty that the brave endure, Must have made foes! If you have none, Small is the work that you have done. You’ve hit no traitor on the hip, You’ve dashed no cup from perjured lip, You’ve never turned the wrong to right, You’ve been a coward in the fight. | 10. Seven Ages (by William Shakespeare) from “As You Like It” («Весь мир театр, а люди в нем - актеры») All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. At first the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms. And then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel, And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school. |