Nellie and Her Pet

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.