Classic Poem

In Murder Kill, as it befell,
I saw a Miss at an old pole-well,
Drawing water, and as she pulled
The pole in the air, this stave she trolled:
" All our family, five, they tell,
Came up from the depths of this old well;
Maybe, some day, the bucket will bring
A dear little baby to hear me sing. "

I said: " I'm thirsty, give me a drink! "
Said she: " Help me the bucket to sink!
My name's Fredericka and don't stay long:
There's them in the well that likes my song!
All our family, five, they tell,
We drew, all dripping, from this good well:
I hope, some day, that the bucket will
A dear little sister for Freddie spill! "

I dropped the bucket deep and still,
We leaned together to see it fill,
And when the well reflected, we
Two heads saw there, Fredericka and me:
" All our family, five, they tell,
Came out alive from this old well:
I hope some day that Freddy's face
Comes up in the bucket to take her place. "

" Hold still, Fredericka! look at the shine
And put your head right close to mine,
And rest it there where I have a drouth
That you can cool with your dewy mouth. "

" I can't sing close, for I must have space;
Your eyes are wells where I see my face;
Or is it my baby there I see,
That the good Kriss Kringle promised me?

" Now I can't sing and the well will miss;
But there is a tune in your kind of kiss:
Two heads are there and another must be —
Look in the bucket if it you see!
All my family, five, they tell,
My mother says came up this well;
If you don't go perhaps you'll see
One more come up and sing with me! "

" Tell your mother to let me sue!
I want a baby, just like you!
I'll come in the house and be your beau,
This water's so fresh it makes me glow "
All our family, five, they tell,
Begun right there by the old pole well;
Maybe, some day, the bucket will bring
A jay like me to help us sing. "