Runaway Donkey and Other Rhymes for Children

<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</SPAN></span></p> <h3>VII. THE CHECK-REIN STORY</h3> <div class="figleft1" style="width:30%"> <ANTIMG src="images/033.jpg" alt="Pony Rollo told his story" style="width: 100%" /></div> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Pony Rollo clattered gayly<br/></span> <span class="i2">Through the farmyard gate,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Oh! such news! such news for Dobbin!<br/></span> <span class="i2">Scarcely could he wait.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">When at last the barn was fastened<br/></span> <span class="i2">And they were alone,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Pony Rollo told his story<br/></span> <span class="i2">In most joyful tone.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">"Oh! this morning as I trotted<br/></span> <span class="i2">I could plainly hear<br/></span> <span class="i0">What they said,&mdash;my little lady<br/></span> <span class="i2">And her mother dear.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">"They were talking of the check-rein,<br/></span> <span class="i2">And at last they said:<br/></span> <span class="i0">'Pony Rollo need not wear it!'<br/></span> <span class="i2">Then I tossed my head,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">"And I shook my mane and whinnied.<br/></span> <span class="i2">'Why, he understands!'<br/></span> <span class="i0">Said my little lady, laughing.<br/></span> <span class="i2">Then with her own hands<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">"Off she took the check-rein, Dobbin,<br/></span> <span class="i2">Chatting fast the while.<br/></span> <span class="i0">'There! you darling Pony Rollo,<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</SPAN></span> <span class="i2">We won't care for style.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">"'You shan't wear the horrid check-rein,<br/></span> <span class="i2">Little pony mine;<br/></span> <span class="i0">And we'll both be just as happy<br/></span> <span class="i2">If we're not so fine.'<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">"That I held my head up proudly<br/></span> <span class="i2">As I tried to show<br/></span> <span class="i0">All my joy in this new freedom<br/></span> <span class="i2">You will surely know.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">"And I heard them,&mdash;Yes, I heard them<br/></span> <span class="i2">Say the time was near<br/></span> <span class="i0">When all check-reins should be banished;<br/></span> <span class="i2">And,&mdash;now you shall hear!&mdash;<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">"Then they said, old Dobbin's check-rein<br/></span> <span class="i2">No more would they use!<br/></span> <span class="i0">There!" said joyful Pony Rollo,<br/></span> <span class="i2">"Isn't that good news?"<br/></span></div> </div> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</SPAN><br/><SPAN name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/035.jpg" alt="Pony Rollo need not wear it!" style="width: 50%" /></div> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Boy or girl with horse or pony<br/></span> <span class="i2">Which you love full well,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Has he any check-rein story<br/></span> <span class="i2">Glad as this to tell?<br/></span></div> </div> <hr class="tb" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />