My Lady Wind

Snail

Snail, snail, come out of your hole,
Or else I'll beat you as black as a coal.
Snail, snail, put out your horns,
Here comes a thief to pull down your walls.

My lady Wind, my lady Wind,
Went round about the house to find
A chink to get her foot in:
She tried the keyhole in the door,
She tried the crevice in the floor,
And drove the chimney soot in.

And then one night, when it was dark,
She blew up such a tiny spark,
That all the house was pothered:
From it she raised up such a flame,
As flamed away to Belting Lane,
And White Cross folks were smothered.

And thus when once, my little dears,
A whisper reaches itching ears,
The same will come, you'll find:
Take my advice, restrain the tongue,
Remember what old nurse has sung
Of busy lady Wind!