 | Jane and Ann Taylor: Original Poems for Infant Minds |  |
98
A NEW YEAR'S GIFT.
A charming present comes from town
A baby-house so neat;
With kitchen, parlour, dining-room,
And chambers all complete.
A baby-house so neat;
With kitchen, parlour, dining-room,
And chambers all complete.
A gift to Emma and to Rose,
From grandpapa it came;
The little Rosa smiled delight,
And Emma did the same.
From grandpapa it came;
The little Rosa smiled delight,
And Emma did the same.
They eagerly examined all:
The furniture was gay;
And in the rooms they placed their dolls,
When dressed in fine array.
The furniture was gay;
And in the rooms they placed their dolls,
When dressed in fine array.
At night, their little family
Must tenderly be fed;
And then, when dollies were undressed,
They all were put to bed.
Must tenderly be fed;
And then, when dollies were undressed,
They all were put to bed.
Thus Rose and Emma passed each hour,
Devoted to their play;
And long were cheerful, happy, kind—
Nor cross disputes had they,
Devoted to their play;
And long were cheerful, happy, kind—
Nor cross disputes had they,
99
Till Rose in baby-house would change
The chairs which were below:
“This carpet they would better suit;
I think I'll have it so.”
The chairs which were below:
“This carpet they would better suit;
I think I'll have it so.”
“No, no, indeed,” her sister said,
“I'm older, Rose, than you;
And I'm the mistress, you the maid,
And what I bid must do.”
“I'm older, Rose, than you;
And I'm the mistress, you the maid,
And what I bid must do.”
The quarrel grew to such a height,
Mamma she heard the noise,
And coming in, beheld the floor
All strewed with broken toys.
Mamma she heard the noise,
And coming in, beheld the floor
All strewed with broken toys.
“Oh, fie, my Emma! fie, my Rose!
Say, what is this about?
Remember, this is New-year's day,
And both are going out.”
Say, what is this about?
Remember, this is New-year's day,
And both are going out.”
Now Betty calls the little girls
To come up-stairs and dress;
They still dispute, with muttered taunts
And anger they express.
To come up-stairs and dress;
They still dispute, with muttered taunts
And anger they express.
But just prepared to leave their room,
Persisting yet in strife,
Rose sickening fell on Betty's lap,
As if devoid of life.
Persisting yet in strife,
Rose sickening fell on Betty's lap,
As if devoid of life.
100
Mamma appeared at Betty's call—
John for the doctor goes;
And some disease of dangerous kind
Its symptoms soon disclose.
John for the doctor goes;
And some disease of dangerous kind
Its symptoms soon disclose.
“But though I stay, my Emma, you
May go and spend the day.”
“Oh no, mamma,” replied the child,
“I must with Rosa stay.
May go and spend the day.”
“Oh no, mamma,” replied the child,
“I must with Rosa stay.
“Beside my sister's bed I'll sit,
And watch her with such care
No pleasure can I e'er enjoy,
Till she my pleasure share,
And watch her with such care
No pleasure can I e'er enjoy,
Till she my pleasure share,
“How silly now seems our dispute;—
Not one of us she knows!
How pale she looks, how hard she breathes
Alas! my pretty Rose!”
Not one of us she knows!
How pale she looks, how hard she breathes
Alas! my pretty Rose!”
| Jane and Ann Taylor: Original Poems for Infant Minds | |