 | Jane and Ann Taylor: Original Poems for Infant Minds |  |
71
NEVER PLAY WITH FIRE.
My prayers I said, I went to bed,
And quickly fell asleep;
But soon I woke, my sleep was broke—
I through my curtains peep.
And quickly fell asleep;
But soon I woke, my sleep was broke—
I through my curtains peep.
I heard a noise of men and boys,
The watchman's rattle too;
And “Fire!” they cry, and then cried I,
“Alas! what shall I do?”
The watchman's rattle too;
And “Fire!” they cry, and then cried I,
“Alas! what shall I do?”
A shout so loud came from the crowd,
Around, above, below,
And in the street the neighbours meet,
Who would the matter know.
Around, above, below,
And in the street the neighbours meet,
Who would the matter know.
Now down the stairs run threes and pairs,
Enough their bones to break;
The firemen shout, the engines spout
Their streams, the fire to slake.
Enough their bones to break;
The firemen shout, the engines spout
Their streams, the fire to slake.
72
The roof and wall, the stairs and all,
And rafters tumble in:
Red flames and blaze, now all amaze,
And make a dreadful din!
And rafters tumble in:
Red flames and blaze, now all amaze,
And make a dreadful din!
And each one screams, when bricks and beams
Come tumbling on their heads:
And some are smash'd, and some are dash'd;
Some leap on feather-beds.
Come tumbling on their heads:
And some are smash'd, and some are dash'd;
Some leap on feather-beds.
Some burn, some choke with fire and smoke;
But ah! what was the cause?
My heart's dismay'd—last night I play'd
With Thomas, lighting straws!
But ah! what was the cause?
My heart's dismay'd—last night I play'd
With Thomas, lighting straws!
| Jane and Ann Taylor: Original Poems for Infant Minds | |