A Ballad of China

When I was a child, we owned an orange set of Childcraft books by World Book. ( I still have the books from the set that aren’t dated.)  Several of the books had poems and this was one of my favorites.  For some reason, while working around the house today, unpacking, going through mail and other post-vacation activities, this poem insinuated itself into my head and wouldn’t go away.  You might enjoy it and if you have children or grandchildren, it’s highly likely they’ll love its cadences and story.  So I present for your enjoyment…

A Ballad Of China
Laura E. Richards

Her Name was Dilliki Dolliki Dinah;
Niece she was to the Empress of China;
Fair she was as a morning in May,
When Hy Kokolorum stole her away.

Hy was a wizard, I’d have you know;
Wicked as weasels and black as a crow;
Lived in castle a-top a hill;
Had a panther whose name was Bill;

Used to ride him around and around,
Creeping and peeping close to the ground;
Working mischief wherever he could;
Nothing about him in any way good!

Saw the maiden one midsummer morn,
(sweetest creature that ever was born!),
Creeped and peeped in his wizardly way,
Catched her and snatched her and stole her away!

All through China arose a cry:
“Some one has stolen out Dilliki Di!”
People gathered in every forum,
Crying, “It must be Hy Kokolorum!”

All the Barons in China land,
Ling the lofty and Bing the Bland,
Kong the Kingly and Bond the brave,
Vowed a vow to find and save

Darling Dilliki Dolliki Dinah
(niece you know to the empress of China;
Fair you know as a morning in May),
Whom Hy Kokolorum had stolen away.

Now in a kingly, ringly row,
Round and about the hill they go,
Ling the lofty, Bing the bland,
Kong and Bong, and there they stand,

Weaving a weird and spinning a spell,
All with intent to quash and quell
Hy Kokolorum, worker of woe,
Wicked as weasels and black as a crow.

Dilliki Dinah was weeping her fill,
When stepped up softly the panther Bill;
Whispered,” If you will give me a kiss,
I’ll turn your sorrow into bubbling bliss!”

She, to animals always kind,
Said,” No! Really? Well, I don’t mind!”
Dropped a kiss on his nose so pink,
And goodness gracious! what do you think?

He turned into a beautiful Golden King,
Crown and scepter and everything!
Ran the old wizard through and through,
Saying, ” Now there is an end of you!”

Caught the maiden up in his arms,
Broke through the net of spells and charms,
Cried to the barons Bold and Brave,
“I’ve had the honor to find and save

Darling Dilliki Dolliki Dinah
Niece (I learn) to the Empress of China,
Fair (I swear) as a morning in May
And she is my queen to this very day!”