Kitabı oku: «Rhymes for Harry and His Nurse-Maid», sayfa 4

HARRY HAS A SISTER

 
When little sister Jane arriv'd,
Harry was two years old;
His dimpled cheeks and lively air
A cheerful temper told.
 
 
Well pleas'd, he sat by nurse's side,
As she the babe would dress.
And, though he kiss'd or patted her,
Too hard he did not press.
 
 
He learn'd to wait upon himself,
His pinafore to loose,
Now on he'd nicely put his socks,
And clasp his little shoes.
 
 
He nimbly went up stairs or down,
At nurse or mother's call;
But then, he took fast hold the while,
Lest he should get a fall.
 

BED-TIME

 
See how my Harry hangs his head,
And rubs his little peepy;
'Tis time to trot up stairs to bed
When babies are so sleepy.
 
 
Then let us put his playthings by,
Jane's rattle, and her dolly;
We must not leave all things awry,
To make more work for Molly.
 
 
Come trip up stairs with nimble feet,
– A kiss for dear Mamma;
Hark, hark, she says "farewell my sweet,"
And Harry says, "ta, ta."
 
 
(He does not say – "Mamma, do let
Me stop a little longer?"
Indulgence soon would spoil her pet,
And make his will grow stronger.)
 
 
Now, we must all the windows shut,
And let the curtains down;
Now, on the little cap we'll put,
And now the sleeping gown.
 
 
My Harry must lie still, and keep
The bed-clothes nice and even;
"Ta, ta," – he'll soon be fast asleep,
For, hark! the clock strikes seven.
 

NURSERY FURNITURE

 
Harry can skip, or jump, or play,
Just at his own desire;
But once he was a careless boy,
And went too near the fire.
 
 
And had not nurse, with watchful eye,
Beheld, and quickly turn'd
His pinafore had caught the flame,
His hair had all been burn'd.
 
 
Papa had seen a guard so nice,
That fitted round a fire;
He order'd one for Harry's room,
With closely platted wire.
 
 
See now he plays with nimble step,
And fearless of all harm;
And yet he can, on Winter days,
His little fingers warm.
 
 
A lamp, two yards above the floor,
Is fasten'd to the wall;
For candles, on a table put,
Might quickly get a fall.
 
 
A basin and a jug, and soap,
With water from the well,
Plac'd on a little frame of wood,
Suit nurse and Harry well.
 
 
And nicely furnish'd is our room,
With things that will not spoil;
Mamma too kind and thoughtful is
To make much care or toil.
 
 
She likes her darling babes to play
At liberty and ease,
And still, in having useful things,
Takes care they do not tease.
 

NEVER GRIEVE ONE TO PLEASE ANOTHER

 
Poor Jane! what is it grieves her so?
Why sobs her little heart?
She cries, because she wants to have
Her brother's nice new cart.
 
 
But Harry now is so intent
Unloading all his store,
She must, my darling, wait awhile,
Until his game is o'er.
 
 
To please and gratify, we must
Not rob and grieve another;
Justice should always be our guide,
And feeling for the other.
 
 
And tho' 'tis pleasant, when a child
Will freely give or lend;
If we oblige them to be kind,
We soon defeat our end.
 
 
We'll pacify with kindest art,
And other thoughts excite;
We'll try, with tender care, to lead,
The infant wish aright.
 
 
We must a good beginning make
For every useful lesson;
We must enforce from earliest years
The practice of submission.
 

N. B. – A little publication, entitled "Hints for the Improvement of Early Education," the writer recommends to the increased attention of every conscientious mother. – These rhymes make but very humble pretensions, and are likewise much limited, from various considerations; so that many of the more important subjects of education could not be touched upon.