Rhymes for the nursery By the authors of "Original Poems" [i.e. Ann Taylor]. Twenty-seventeenth edition |
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Poor Children.
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 | Rhymes for the nursery |  |
Poor Children.
When I go in the meadows, or walk in the street,
Very often a many poor children I meet,
Without shoes or stockings to cover their feet.
Very often a many poor children I meet,
Without shoes or stockings to cover their feet.
Their clothes are all ragged, and let in the cold;
And they have very little to eat, I am told:
Oh dear! 'tis a pitiful sight to behold.
And they have very little to eat, I am told:
Oh dear! 'tis a pitiful sight to behold.
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And then, what is worse, very often they are
Quite naughty and wicked: I never can bear
To hear how they quarrel together and swear.
Quite naughty and wicked: I never can bear
To hear how they quarrel together and swear.
For often they use naughty words in their play;
And I might have been quite as wicked as they,
Had I not been taught better, I've heard mamma say.
And I might have been quite as wicked as they,
Had I not been taught better, I've heard mamma say.
Oh, how very thankful I always should be,
That I have kind parents to watch over me,
Who teach me from wickedness ever to flee!
That I have kind parents to watch over me,
Who teach me from wickedness ever to flee!
And as mamma tells me, I certainly should
Mind all that is taught me, and be very good,
For if those poor children knew better—they would.
Mind all that is taught me, and be very good,
For if those poor children knew better—they would.
| Rhymes for the nursery | |