 | Rhymes and jingles by Mary Mapes Dodge |  |
3
Looking Back
By “Deacon Green.”
If I were a boy again,—ah, me!—
How very, very good I'd be!
I would not sulk, I would not cry,
I'd scorn to coax for cake or pie.
I would not cause Mamma distress,
I'd never hate to wash and dress.
I'd rather learn a task than play,
And ne'er from school I'd run away.
I'd any time my jack-knife lend,
And share my toys with every friend.
I'd gladly go to bed at six,
And never be “as cross as sticks.”
I'd run with joy to take a pill,
And mustard wear whenever ill.
I'd never wish to skate or swim,
But wisely think of dangers grim.
And, oh, I'd never, just for fun,
Beg to go hunting with a gun!
At every naughty thing I did—
For mischief might be somewhere hid—
I'd drop at once upon my knees,
And say, “Dear Teacher, flog me, please.”
How very, very good I'd be!
I would not sulk, I would not cry,
I'd scorn to coax for cake or pie.
I would not cause Mamma distress,
I'd never hate to wash and dress.
I'd rather learn a task than play,
And ne'er from school I'd run away.
I'd any time my jack-knife lend,
And share my toys with every friend.
I'd gladly go to bed at six,
And never be “as cross as sticks.”
I'd run with joy to take a pill,
And mustard wear whenever ill.
I'd never wish to skate or swim,
But wisely think of dangers grim.
And, oh, I'd never, just for fun,
Beg to go hunting with a gun!
4
For mischief might be somewhere hid—
I'd drop at once upon my knees,
And say, “Dear Teacher, flog me, please.”
It's easy to be good, you see,
When looking back from sixty-three.
When looking back from sixty-three.
| Rhymes and jingles by Mary Mapes Dodge | |