Bonny Bossy, bonny Bossy,
Over the bars, and come to me!
Let me stroke your shoulders glossy,
And comb you sleek for a king to see.
Look! moreover, here is clover,
Red with blooming, and fresh with dew:
This I picked for my "four-footed lover,"
And here I bring you a ribbon of blue.
A bright blue ribbon, a white new bib on,
And then you shall have some warm new milk:
Now, good Bossy, you come more glib on!
Now I can rumple your ears of silk.
Stint your jumping, romping, bumping;
Don't tip over the brimming dish;
There now, drink it, and cease your thumping,
Head a-midging, and tail a-swish!
Boss, in feeding mind your breeding;
'Tisn't polite to sup with haste:
Gentlefolk are known by their eating;
Well, you are slow to learn, at least.
Clumsy Bossy, blundering Bossy,
Leave my apron, and gnaw your feed:
Don't you know it is very saucy
Doing that way? It is, indeed!
Oh, you are sorry? Well, don't worry!
Kiss my hand and I’ll let it pass:
There, good-by, pet, we must hurry, —
I to my school, and you to your grass.
Nellie and Her Pet