A tiny courtship rhyme promising Curly-locks a life of cushions, fine sewing and strawberries and cream instead of housework. It's more decorative than dramatic, pleasant to recite for its soft, repeated sounds.
From Mother Goose / Nursery Rhymes (traditional). See the whole collection.
Curly-locks, Curly-locks, wilt thou be mine?
Thou shalt not wash the dishes, nor yet feed the swine;
But sit on a cushion, and sew a fine seam
And feed upon strawberries, sugar, and cream.
About this rhyme
Text confirms the proposal ('wilt thou be mine'), the no-dishes/no-swine promise, and the exact tip quote 'strawberries, sugar, and cream'.
A proposal of sorts, promising an easy life: no dishes, no pigs to feed, just a cushion, some sewing, and strawberries with cream. It's one of the gentler old courting rhymes, all comfort and no chores.
Slow right down for 'strawberries, sugar, and cream'. It's the reward at the end, so let it land.
Public domain. Text from The Real Mother Goose (Blanche Fisher Wright, 1916), via Project Gutenberg. View the source edition