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When life is young

a collection of verse for boys and girls

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I KNOW A LITTLE MAIDEN
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


80

I KNOW A LITTLE MAIDEN

I know a little maiden who can knit and who can sew;
Who can tuck her little petticoat, and tie a pretty bow;
She can give the thirsty window-plants a cooling drink each day,
And dust the pretty sitting-room, and drive the flies away.
She can bring Papa his dressing-gown, and warm his slippers well,
And lay the plates and knives and forks, and ring the supper-bell;
She can learn her lessons carefully, and say them with a smile,
Then put away her books and slate and atlas, in a pile;

81

She can feed the bright canary, and put water in his cage;
And soothe her little brother when he flies into a rage.
She can dress and tend her dollies like a mother, day or night,—
Indeed, one half the good she does I cannot now recite.
And yet there are some things, I'm told, this maiden cannot do.
She cannot say an ugly word, or one that is not true;—
Who can this little maiden be? I wonder if it 's you.