The Country Maid and her Milk-Can

099. THE COUNTRY MAID AND HER MILK-CAN. A Country Maid was walking along with a can of Milk upon her head, when she fell into the following train of reflections. “The money for which I shall sell this milk will enable me to increase my stock of eggs to three hundred. These eggs, allowing for what may prove addle, and what may be destroyed by vermin, will produce at least two hundred and fifty chickens. The chickens will be fit to carry to market just at the time when poultry is always dear; so that by the new-year I cannot fail of having money enough to purchase a new gown. Green — let me consider — yes, green becomes my complexion best, and green it shall be. In this dress I will go to the fair, where all the young fellows will strive to have me for a partner; but no — I shall refuse every one of them, and with a disdainful toss turn from them.” Transported with this idea, she could not forbear acting with her head the thought that thus passed in her mind; when, down came the can of milk! And all her imaginary happiness vanished in a moment. [more info]

The Country Maid and her Milk-Pan

30. THE COUNTRY MAID AND HER MILK-PAN. A country maid, walking along the road with a pan of sweet milk on her head, said to herself, "With the money I get for this milk I shall buy eggs, then I shall put them under the old hen, and when the chickens are hatched, I shall feed them until they are big enough and plump enough to fetch a high price. With the money I get for them I shall buy me a fine new gown, and on market day I shall look so comely in it that all the farmers will admire me. But I shall not look at them, I shall toss my head and turn away."
At this point, the foolish maid, forgetting the milk-pan, and thinking only of how she would flout her admirers, really did toss her head. Down tumbled the pan, out ran the milk over the road, and with it disappeared all chance of ever having either eggs, chickens, fowls, fine gowns, or admirers to flout. [more info]

The Dairywoman and the Pot of Milk

07.11: THE DAIRYWOMAN AND THE POT OF MILK.
A pot of milk upon her cushion'd crown,
Good Peggy hasten'd to the market town;
Short clad and light, with speed she went,
Not fearing any accident;
Indeed, to be the nimbler tripper,
Her dress that day,
The truth to say,
Was simple petticoat and slipper.
And, thus bedight,
Good Peggy, light,—
Her gains already counted,—
Laid out the cash
At single dash,
Which to a hundred eggs amounted.
Three nests she made,
Which, by the aid
Of diligence and care were hatch'd.
'To raise the chicks,
I'll easy fix,'
Said she, 'beside our cottage thatch'd.
The fox must get
More cunning yet,
Or leave enough to buy a pig.
With little care
And any fare,
He'll grow quite fat and big;
And then the price
Will be so nice,
For which, the pork will sell!
'Twill go quite hard
But in our yard
I'll bring a cow and calf to dwell—
A calf to frisk among the flock!'
The thought made Peggy do the same;
And down at once the milk-pot came,
And perish'd with the shock.
Calf, cow, and pig, and chicks, adieu!
Your mistress' face is sad to view;
She gives a tear to fortune spilt;
Then with the downcast look of guilt
Home to her husband empty goes,
Somewhat in danger of his blows.
Who buildeth not, sometimes, in air
His cots, or seats, or castles fair?
From kings to dairy women,—all,—
The wise, the foolish, great and small,—
Each thinks his waking dream the best.
Some flattering error fills the breast:
The world with all its wealth is ours,
Its honours, dames, and loveliest bowers.
Instinct with valour, when alone,
I hurl the monarch from his throne;
The people, glad to see him dead,
Elect me monarch in his stead,
And diadems rain on my head.
Some accident then calls me back,
And I'm no more than simple Jack.
[more info]

The Milk-Woman and her Pail

111. THE MILK-WOMAN AND HER PAIL. A FARMER’S daughter was carrying her Pail of milk from the field to the farmhouse, when she fell a-musing. “The money for which this milk will be sold, will buy at least three hundred eggs. The eggs, allowing for all mishaps, will produce two hundred and fifty chickens. The chickens will become ready for the market when poultry will fetch the highest price, so that by the end of the year I shall have money enough from my share to buy a new gown. In this dress I will go to the Christmas parties, where all the young fellows will propose to me, but I will toss my head and refuse them every one.” At this moment she tossed her head in unison with her thoughts, when down fell the milk pail to the ground, and all her imaginary schemes perished in a moment. [more info]

The Milkmaid

25. THE MILKMAID.
A Milkmaid to the market sped,
Her milk pail, balanced on her head,
Brimful of milk fresh from the cow.
And as she went she pondered how
In time, by careful bargaining,
The price that pail of milk would bring
Might make her fortune. "First, I'll get,"
Thought she, "a batch of eggs to set;
And these, when hatched by some good hen,
Will grow to fine, plump chickens; then
At Fair-time, when the price is high,
I'll sell them for enough to buy
That feathered hat and blue silk gown
I saw the other day in town.
Then, with pink ribbons in my hair,
When Jamie sees me at the Fair
And says he's sorry that he said
The things he did, I'll toss my head
Like this" - - She tossed her head and splash!
Down came the pail of milk, and crash!
Went eggs and chickens; blue silk gown,
Hat, ribbons, all came tumbling down,
And the bright vision of the Fair
And - Jamie - - vanished into air! [more info]

The Country Maid and her Milk Pail

1.06. THE COUNTRY MAID AND HER MILK PAIL. When we dwell much on distant and chimerical advantages, we neglect our present business and are exposed to real misfortunes. A Country Maid was walking very deliberately with a pail of milk upon her head when she fell into the following train of reflections. "The money for which I shall sell this milk will enable me to increase my stock of eggs to three hundred. These eggs, allowing for what may prove addle and what may be destroyed by vermin, will produce at least two hundred and fifty chickens. The chickens will be fit to carry to market about Christmas when poultry always bear a good price, so that by May day I cannot fail of having money enough to purchase a gown. Green! Let me consider, yes, green becomes my complexion best, and green it shall be. In this dress I will go to the fair where all the young fellows will strive to have me for a partner, but I shall perhaps refuse every one of them and with an air of disdain toss from them." Transported with this triumphant thought, she could not forbear acting with her head what thus passed in her imagination, when down came the pail of milk, and with it all her imaginary happiness. [more info]

The Milkmaid and her Pail

76. THE MILKMAID AND HER PAIL.Patty the Milkmaid was going to market carrying her milk in a Pail on her head. As she went along she began calculating what she would do with the money she would get for the milk. "I'll buy some fowls from Farmer Brown," said she, "and they will lay eggs each morning, which I will sell to the parson's wife. With the money that I get from the sale of these eggs I'll buy myself a new dimity frock and a chip hat; and when I go to market, won't all the young men come up and speak to me! Polly Shaw will be that jealous; but I don't care. I shall just look at her and toss my head like this.
As she spoke she tossed her head back, the Pail fell off it, and all the milk was spilt. So she had to go home and tell her mother what had occurred.
"Ah, my child," said the mother, "do not count your chickens before they are hatched." [more info]

The Milkmaid and Her Pail

THE MILKMAID AND HER PAIL. A Milkmaid had been out to milk the cows and was returning from the field with the shining milk pail balanced nicely on her head. As she walked along, her pretty head was busy with plans for the days to come.
"This good, rich milk," she mused, "will give me plenty of cream to churn. The butter I make I will take to market, and with the money I get for it I will buy a lot of eggs for hatching. How nice it will be when they are all hatched and the yard is full of fine young chicks. Then when May day comes I will sell them, and with the money I'll buy a lovely new dress to wear to the fair. All the young men will look at me. They will come and try to make love to me,—but I shall very quickly send them about their business!"
As she thought of how she would settle that matter, she tossed her head scornfully, and down fell the pail of milk to the ground. And all the milk flowed out, and with it vanished butter and eggs and chicks and new dress and all the milkmaid's pride.
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched. [more info]