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Old Mother Goose, When she wanted to wander, Would ride through the air On a very fine gander. |
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Mother Goose had a house, 'Twas built in a wood, Where an owl at the door For sentinel stood. |
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She had a son Jack, A plain-looking lad, He was not very good, Nor yet very bad. |
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She sent him to market, A live goose he bought; See, mother, says he, I have not been for nought. |
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Jack's goose and her gander Grew very fond; They'd both eat together, Or swim in the pond. |
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Jack found one fine morning, As I have been told, His goose had laid him An egg of pure gold. |
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Jack ran to his mother The news for to tell, She called him a good boy, And said it was well. |
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Jack sold his gold egg To a merchant untrue, Who cheated him out of A half of his due. |
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Then Jack went a-courting A lady so gay, As fair as the lily, And sweet as the May. |
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The merchant and squire Soon came at his back, And began to belabour The sides of poor Jack. |
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Then old Mother Goose That instant came in, And turned her son Jack Into famed Harlequin. |
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She then with her wand Touched the lady so fine, And turned her at once Into sweet Columbine. |
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The gold egg in the sea Was thrown away then, When an odd fish brought her The egg back again. |
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The merchant then vowed The goose he would kill, Resolving at once His pockets to fill. |
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Jack's mother came in And caught the goose soon, And mounting its back, Flew up to the moon. |