Classic Poem

Knitting is the maid o' the kitchen, Milly,
Doing nothing, sits the chore-boy, Billy:
“Seconds reckoned,
Seconds reckoned,
Every minute,
Sixty in it;
Milly, Billy,
Billy, Milly,
Tick-tock, tock-tick,
Nick-knock, knock-nick,
Knockety-nick, nickety-knock,”—
Goes the kitchen clock.

Closer to the fire is rosy Milly,
Every whit as close and cozy, Billy:
“Time is flying,
Worth your trying;
Pretty Milly,
Kiss her, Billy!
Milly, Billy,
Billy, Milly,
Tick-tock, tock-tick,
Now—now, quick—quick!
Knockety-nick, nickety-knock,”—
Goes the kitchen clock.

Something 's happened, very red is Milly,
Billy boy is looking very silly:
“Pretty misses,
Plenty kisses;
Make it twenty,
Take a plenty;
Billy, Milly,
Milly, Billy,
Right-left, left-right,
That 's right, all right,
Knockety-nick, nickety-knock,”—
Goes the kitchen clock.

Weeks gone, still they are sitting, Milly, Billy;
O, the winter winds are wondrous chilly!
“Winter weather,
Close together;
Would n't tarry,
Better marry;
Milly, Billy,
Billy, Milly,
Two, one—one, two,
Don't wait, 't won't do,
Knockety-nick, nickety-knock,”—
Goes the kitchen clock.

Winters two have gone, and where is Milly?
Spring has come again, and where is Billy?
“Give me credit,
For I did it;
Treat me kindly,
Mind you wind me;
Mister Billy,
Mistress Milly,
My—O, O—my,
By-by, by-by,
Nickety-knock, cradle rock,”—
Goes the kitchen clock.