 | The Poetical Works of Caroline Bowles Southey |  |
So to the mother's charge, with thoughtful brow,
The docile Lizzy stood attentive now,
Proud of her years and of imputed sense,
And prudence justifying confidence;
And little Jenny, more demurely still,
Beside her waited the maternal will.
So standing hand in hand, a lovelier twain
Gainsborough ne'er painted; no, nor he of Spain,
Glorious Murillo!—and by contrast shown
More beautiful. The younger little one,
With large blue eyes, and silken ringlets fair,
By nut-brown Lizzy, with smooth parted hair,
Sable and glossy as the raven's wing,
And lustrous eyes as dark.
The docile Lizzy stood attentive now,
Proud of her years and of imputed sense,
And prudence justifying confidence;
And little Jenny, more demurely still,
Beside her waited the maternal will.
So standing hand in hand, a lovelier twain
Gainsborough ne'er painted; no, nor he of Spain,
Glorious Murillo!—and by contrast shown
More beautiful. The younger little one,
With large blue eyes, and silken ringlets fair,
By nut-brown Lizzy, with smooth parted hair,
Sable and glossy as the raven's wing,
And lustrous eyes as dark.
“Now, mind and bring
Jenny safe home,” the mother said—“don't stay
To pull a bough or berry by the way:
And when you come to cross the ford, hold fast
Your little sister's hand till you're quite past—
That plank's so crazy, and so slippery,
If not o'erflowed, the stepping-stones will be.
But you're good children, steady as old folk—
I'd trust ye anywhere.” Then Lizzy's cloak,
A good grey duffle, lovingly she tied,
And amply little Jenny's lack supplied
With her own warmest shawl. “Be sure,” said she,
“To wrap it round and knot it carefully,
Like this, when you come home, just leaving free
One hand to hold by. Now, make haste away—
Good will to school, and then good right to play.”
Jenny safe home,” the mother said—“don't stay
To pull a bough or berry by the way:
And when you come to cross the ford, hold fast
Your little sister's hand till you're quite past—
That plank's so crazy, and so slippery,
200
But you're good children, steady as old folk—
I'd trust ye anywhere.” Then Lizzy's cloak,
A good grey duffle, lovingly she tied,
And amply little Jenny's lack supplied
With her own warmest shawl. “Be sure,” said she,
“To wrap it round and knot it carefully,
Like this, when you come home, just leaving free
One hand to hold by. Now, make haste away—
Good will to school, and then good right to play.”
| The Poetical Works of Caroline Bowles Southey | |