And he had a sort of look as if he thought he ought to say: “I’m very, very sorry that I tried to run away.” And Nanny’s very sorry too for you-know-what-she-did, And she’s writing ALEXANDER very blackly on the lid. So Nan and Me are friends, because it’s difficult to catch An excited Alexander you’ve mistaken for a match.
The Emperor’s Rhyme
The King of Peru (Who was Emperor too) Had a sort of a rhyme Which was useful to know, If he felt very shy When a stranger came by, Or they asked him the time When his watch didn’t go; Or supposing he fell (By mistake) down a well, Or he tumbled when skating And sat on his hat, Or perhaps wasn’t told, Till his porridge was cold, That his breakfast was waiting Or something like that; Oh, whenever the Emperor Got into a temper, or Felt himself sulky or sad, He would murmur and murmur, Until he felt firmer, This curious rhyme which he had: Eight eights are sixty-four ; Multiply by seven . When it’s done , Carry one , And take away eleven . Nine nines are eighty-one ; Multiply by three . If it’s more , Carry four , And then it’s time for tea . So whenever the Queen Took his armour to clean, And she didn’t remember To use any starch; Or his birthday (in May) Was a horrible day, Being wet as November And windy as March; Or, if sitting in state With the Wise and the Great, He just happened to hiccup While signing his name, Or the Queen gave a cough, When his crown tumbled off As he bent down to pick up A pen for the same; Oh, whenever the Emperor Got into a temper, or Felt himself awkward and shy, He would whisper and whisper, Until he felt crisper, This odd little rhyme to the sky: Eight eights are eighty-one ; Multiply by seven . If it’s more , Carry four , And take away eleven . Nine nines are sixty-four ; Multiply by three . When it’s done , Carry one , And then it’s time for tea .
