The Daisy, or, Cautionary Stories in Verse. Adapted to the Ideas of Children from Four to Eight Years Old.

The Fairing.

O Dear! what a beautiful Doll My sister has bought at the fair! She says I must call it "Miss Poll," And make it a bonnet to wear.

O, pretty new Doll! it looks fine; Its cheeks are all covered with red But, pray, will it always be mine? And, pray, may I take it to bed?

How kind was my sister to buy This Dolly with hair that will curl Perhaps if you want to know why, She'll tell you, I've been a good girl.

III.

The good Boy.

When Philip's good mamma was ill, The servant begg'd he would be still, Because the doctor and the nurse Had said, that noise would make her worse.

At night, when Philip went to bed, He kiss'd mamma, and whisp'ring said, "My dear mamma, I never will Make any noise when you are ill."

IV.

Frances and Henry.

Sister Frances is sad, Because Henry is ill; And she lets the dear lad Do whatever he will.

Left her own little chair, And got up in a minute, When she heard him declare That he wish'd to sit in it.

Now, from this we can tell, He will never more tease her; But, when he is well, He will study to please her.

V.

The giddy Girl.

Miss Helen was always too giddy to heed What her mother had told her to shun; For frequently, over the street in full speed, She would cross where the carriages run.

And out she would go, to a very deep well, To look at the water below; How naughty! to run to a dangerous well, Where her mother forbade her to go!

One morning, intending to take but a peep, Her foot slipt away from the ground; Unhappy misfortune! the water was deep And giddy Miss Helen was drown'd.

VI.

The good Scholar.

Joseph West had been told, That if, when he grew old, He had not learnt rightly to spell, Though his writing were good, 'Twould not be understood, And Joe said, "I will learn my task well."

And he made it a rule To be silent at school, And what do you think came to pass? Why, he learnt it so fast, That, from being the last, He soon was the first in the class.

VII.

Dressed or undressed.

When children are naughty, and will not be drest, Pray, what do you think is the way? Why, often I really believe it is best To keep them in night-clothes all day!

But then they can have no good breakfast to eat, Nor walk with their mother and aunt; At dinner they'll have neither pudding nor meat, Nor any thing else that they want.

Then who would be naughty and sit all the day In night-clothes unfit to be seen! And pray who would lose all their pudding and play For not being dress'd neat and clean?

VIII.

Miss Peggy.

As Peggy was crying aloud for a cake. Which her mother had said she should fetch from the wake, A gentleman knock'd at the door; He entered the parlour, and show'd much surprise, That it really was Peggy who made all the noise, For he never had heard her before.

Miss Peggy, asham'd, and to hide her disgrace, Took hold of her frock, and quite covered her face, For she knew she was naughty just then; And, instantly wiping the tears from her eyes, She promis'd her mother to make no more noise, And kiss'd her again and again.

IX.

The Idle Boy.

Get up, little boy! you are sleeping too long, Your brother is dress'd, he is singing a song, And Tom must be waken'd, O fie

Come, open the curtains, and let in the light, For children should only be sleepy at night, When stars may be seen in the sky.

X.

Playful Pompey.

Come hither, little dog, to play, And do not go so far away, But stand and beg for food; And if your tail I chance to touch, You must not snarl so very much, Pray, Pompey, be not rude.

The dog can eat, and drink, and sleep, And help to fetch the cows and sheep: O, see how Pompey begs; Hark! hark! he says, bow wow! bow wow! But run away, good Pompey, now, You'll tire your little legs.

XI.