Brewer, E. Cobham. Dictionary of Phrase & Fable. Jenny Wren,

Jenny l’Ouvrière.

Jeofail, i.e. J’ai failli (Lapsus sum; I have failed),

E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.

Jenny Wren,

the sweetheart of Robin Redbreast.

“Robin promised Jenny, if she would be his wife, she should ‘feed on cherry-pie and drink currant-wine’; and he says:—

‘I’ll dress you like a goldfinch,

Or any peacock gay;

So, dearest Jen, if you’ll be mine,

Let us appoint the day.’

Jenny replies:—

‘Cherry-pie is very nice,

And so is currant wine;

But I must wear my plain brown gown,

And never go too fine.’”

Jenny l’Ouvrière.

Jeofail, i.e. J’ai failli (Lapsus sum; I have failed),