My Grandma W used to read "The Duel" to me when we’d visit her in Virginia. We also read "The Owl and The Pussycat." "The Duel" begins like this:

THE GINGHAM dog and the calico cat
Side by side on the table sat;
'T was half-past twelve, and (what do you think!)
Nor one nor t' other had slept a wink!
The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate
Appeared to know as sure as fate
There was going to be a terrible spat.
(I was n't there; I simply state
What was told to me by the Chinese plate!)