The Pobble who has no toes

Had once as many as we;

When they said, ‘Some day you may lose them all;’

He replied, ‘Fish fiddle de-dee!’

And his Aunt Jobiska made him drink

Lavender water tinged with pink;

For she said, ‘The World in general knows

There's nothing so good for a Pobble's toes!’

The Pobble who has no toes,

Swam across the Bristol Channel;

But before he set out he wrapped his nose

In a piece of scarlet flannel.

For his Aunt Jobiska said, ‘No harm

Can come to his toes if his nose is warm;

And it's perfectly known that a Pobble's toes

Are safe – provided he minds his nose.’

The Pobble swam fast and well,

And when boats or ships came near him,

He tinkledy-binkledy-winkled a bell

So that all the world could hear him.

And all the Sailors and Admirals cried,

When they saw him nearing the further side, —

‘He has gone to fish, for his Aunt Jobiska's

Runcible Cat with crimson whiskers!’

* * *

The Pobble went gaily on,

To a rock by the edge of the water,

And there, a-eating of crumbs and cream,

Sat King Jampoodle’s daughter.

Her cap was a root of Beetroot red

With a hole cut out to insert her head;

Her gloves were yellow; her shoes were pink;

Her frock was green: and her name was Bink.

Said the Pobble – ‘O Princess Bink,

A-eating of crumbs and cream!

Your beautiful face has filled my heart

With the most profound esteem!

And my Aunt Jobiska says, Man’s life

Ain’t worth a penny without a wife,

Whereby it will give me the greatest pleasure

If you’ll marry me now, or when you’ve leisure!’

Said the Princess Bink – ‘O! Yes!

I will certainly cross the channel

And marry you then if you’ll give me now

That lovely scarlet fl annel!

And besides that fl annel about your nose

I trust you will give me all your toes,

To place in my Pa’s Museum collection,

As proofs of your deep genteel aff ection!’

The Pobble unwrapped his nose,

And gave her the fl annel so red,

Which, throwing her beetroot cap away,

He wreathed around her head.

And one by one he unscrewed his toes,

Which were made of the beautiful wood that grows

In his Aunt Jobiska’s roorial park,

When the days are short and the nights are dark.

Said the Princess – ‘O Pobble! My Pobble!

I’m yours for ever and ever!

I never will leave you my Pobble! My Pobble!

Never, and never, and never!’

Said the Pobble – ‘My Binky! O bless your heart! —

– But say – would you like at once to start

Without taking leave of your dumpetty Father

Jampoodle the King?’ – Said the Princess – ‘Rather!’

They crossed the Channel at once

And when boats and ships came near them,

They winkelty-binkelty-tinkled their bell

So that all the world could hear them.

And all the Sailors and Admirals cried

When they saw them swim to the farther side —

‘There are no more fish for his Aunt Jobiska’s

Runcible Cat with crimson whiskers!’

They danced about all day,

All over the hills and dales;

They danced in every village and town

In the North and the South of Wales.

And their Aunt Jobiska made them a dish

Of Mice and Buttercups fried with fish,

For she said – ‘The World in general knows

Pobbles are happier without their toes!’