The gingham dog and the calico cat <br />Side by side on the table sat; <br />'T was half-past twelve, and (what do you think!) <br />Nor one nor t' other had slept a wink! <br />The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate <br />Appeared to know as sure as fate <br />There was going to be a terrible spat. <br />(I wasn't there; I simply state <br />What was told to me by the Chinese plate!) <br /> <br />The gingham dog went "bow-wow-wow!" <br />And the calico cat replied "mee-ow!" <br />The air was littered, an hour or so, <br />With bits of gingham and calico, <br />While the old Dutch clock in the chimney place <br />Up with its hands before its face, <br />For it always dreaded a family row! <br />(Now mind: I'm only telling you <br />What the old Dutch clock declares is true!) <br /> <br />The Chinese plate looked very blue, <br />And wailed, "Oh, dear! what shall we do!" <br />But the gingham dog and the calico cat <br />Wallowed this way and tumbled that, <br />Employing every tooth and claw <br />In the awfullest way you ever saw - <br />And, oh! how the gingham and calico flew! <br />(Don't fancy I exaggerate - <br />I got my news from the Chinese plate!) <br /> <br />Next morning, where the two had sat <br />They found no trace of dog or cat; <br />And some folks think unto this day <br />That burglars stole that pair away! <br />But the truth about the cat and pup <br />Is this: they ate each other up! <br />Now what do you really think of that! <br />(The old Dutch clock it told me so, <br />And that is how I came to know.)<br /><br />Eugene Field<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-duel/
