Poetry for Children By Charles and Mary Lamb: To which are added Prince Dorus and some uncollected poems by Charles Lamb: Edited, prefaced and annotated by Richard Herne Shepherd |
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![]() | Poetry for Children | ![]() |
146
WHY NOT DO IT, SIR, TO-DAY?
“Why so I will, you noisy bird,
This very day I'll advertise you,
Perhaps some busy ones may prize you.
A fine-tongued parrot as was ever heard,
I'll word it thus—set forth all charms about you,
And say no family should be without you.”
This very day I'll advertise you,
Perhaps some busy ones may prize you.
A fine-tongued parrot as was ever heard,
I'll word it thus—set forth all charms about you,
And say no family should be without you.”
Thus far a gentleman addressed a bird,
Then to his friend: “An old procrastinator,
Sir, I am: do you wonder that I hate her?
Though she but seven words can say,
Twenty and twenty times a day
She interferes with all my dreams,
My projects, plans, and airy schemes,
Mocking my foible to my sorrow:
I'll advertise this bird to-morrow.”
Then to his friend: “An old procrastinator,
Sir, I am: do you wonder that I hate her?
Though she but seven words can say,
Twenty and twenty times a day
She interferes with all my dreams,
My projects, plans, and airy schemes,
Mocking my foible to my sorrow:
I'll advertise this bird to-morrow.”
To this the bird seven words did say:
“Why not do it, sir, to-day?”
“Why not do it, sir, to-day?”
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