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The Duel

THE gingham dog and the calico cat

Side by side on the table sat;

'Twas half-past twelve, and ( what do you think ! )

Nor one Nor t'other had slept a wink !

   The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate

   Appeared to know as sure as fate

There was going to be a terrible spat.

   ( I wasn't there: I simply state

   What  was told me by the Chinese plate !)

 

The gingham dog went " Bow-wow-wow !"

And the calico cat replied "Mee-ow !"

The air was littered, an hour or so,

With bits of gingham and calico,

    While the old Dutch clock in the chimney-place

    Up with its hands before its face,

For it always dreaded a family row !

   ( Now mind: I'm only telling you

   What the old Dutch clock declares is true ! )

 

The Chinese plate looked very blue,

And wailed, "Oh, dear ! what shall we do?"

But the gingham dog and the calico cat

Wallowed this way and tumbled that,

   Employing every tooth and claw

   In the awfullest way you ever saw--

And, oh ! how the gingham and calico flew !

   ( Don't fancy I exaggerate !

   I got my news from the Chinese plate ! )

Next morning, where the two had sat,

They found no trace of dog or cat;

And some folks think unto this day

That burglars stole that pair away !

   But the truth about the cat and pup

   Is this: they ate each other up !

Now what do you really think of that !

   ( The old Dutch clock it told me so,

   And that is how I came to know. )

By Eugene Field

 

 

 

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