Rhymes for the nursery By the authors of "Original Poems" [i.e. Ann Taylor]. Twenty-seventeenth edition |
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The best way to be happy.
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 | Rhymes for the nursery |  |
49
The best way to be happy.
I think I should like to be happy to-day,
If I could but tell which was the easiest way:
But then, I don't know any pretty new play:
If I could but tell which was the easiest way:
But then, I don't know any pretty new play:
And as to the old ones—why, which is the best?
There's fine hot boil'd beans, whoop and hide, and the rest;
Or make believe tea-time, with all my dolls drest.
There's fine hot boil'd beans, whoop and hide, and the rest;
Or make believe tea-time, with all my dolls drest.
But no—let me see, now I've thought of a way,
That really I think will be better than play,
I'll try to be good, if I can, the whole day.
That really I think will be better than play,
I'll try to be good, if I can, the whole day.
No passion, no pouting, no crying: no, no,
They make me unhappy wherever I go,
And it would be a pity to spoil a day so.
They make me unhappy wherever I go,
And it would be a pity to spoil a day so.
50
I don't choose to be such a baby, not I,
To quarrel, and sulk, and be naughty, and cry,
So now I'll begin, for at least I can try.
To quarrel, and sulk, and be naughty, and cry,
So now I'll begin, for at least I can try.
| Rhymes for the nursery | |