Ann Taylor

“ And smear'd in dress and face,
Bemoans with sobs, both loud and deep,
His well-deserved disgrace.
[31]
DEAF MARTHA.
Poor Martha is old, and her hair is turn'd grey,
And her hearing has left her for many a year;
Ten to one if she knows what it is that you say,
Though she puts her poor wither'd hand close to her ear
I've seen naughty children run after her fast,
And cry, "Martha, run, there's a bullock so bold;" ”

“ Your heart should with gratitude burn.
"Your house and its comforts, your food and your friends,
'Tis favour in God to confer,
Have you any claim to the bounty He sends,
Who makes you to differ from her?
"A coach, and a footman, and gaudy attire,
Give little true joy to the breast;
To be good is the thing you should chiefly desire,
And then leave to God all the rest." ”

“ That her sense was so great, and so witty her pate,
It would be forthcoming for ever;
But that's quite absurd, for have you not heard
That much tongue and few brains are connected?
That they are supposed to think least who talk most,
And their wisdom is always suspected?
While Lucy was young, had she bridled her tongue,
With a little good sense and exertion,
Who knows, but she might now have been our delight,
Instead of our jest and aversion? ”

“ THE SPIDER.
"Oh, look at that great ugly spider!" said Ann;
And screaming, she brush'd it away with her fan;
"'Tis a frightful black creature as ever can be,
[37] I wish that it would not come crawling on me."
"Indeed," said her mother, "I'll venture to say,
The poor thing will try to keep out of your way;
For after the fright, and the fall, and the pain,
It has much more occasion than you to complain.
"But why should you dread the poor insect, my dear?
If it hurt you, there'd be some excuse for your fear ”

“ On merely the loss of a ride.
"But though the world's pleasures are fleeting and vain,
Religion is lasting and true;
Real pleasure and peace in her paths you may gain,
Nor will disappointment ensue." ”

“ Than Fanny and all the fine garments she wore.
'Tis better to have a sweet smile on one's face,
Than to wear a fine frock with an elegant lace,
For the good-natured girl is loved best in the main,
If her dress is but decent, though ever so plain. ”

“ Little Ann by her mother walk'd silent and sad,
A tear trickled down from her eye,
Till her mother said, "Ann, I should be very glad
To know what it is makes you cry."
"Mamma," said the child, "see that carriage so fair,
All cover'd with varnish and gold,
Those ladies are riding so charmingly there
While we have to walk in the cold.
"You say God is kind to the folks that are good,
But surely it cannot be true ”

“ For what may hereafter befall;
For seasons of real disappointment and care,
Which commonly happen to all.
"For just like to-day with its holiday lost,
Is life and its comforts at best:
Our pleasures are blighted, our purposes cross'd,
To teach us it is not our rest. ”

“ I'll try and climb over the wall:
I must have an apple; I will have a pear;
Although it should cost me a fall!"
Said William to Thomas, "To steal is a sin,
Mamma has oft told this to thee:
I never have stolen, nor will I begin,
So the apples may hang on the tree."
"You are a good boy, as you ever have been,"
Said Thomas, "let's walk on, my lad:
We'll call on our schoolfellow, Benjamin Green,
Who to see us I know will be glad."
[10]
They came to the house, and ask'd at the gate,
"Is Benjamin Green now at home?" ”

“ Though playthings surrounded, and sweetmeats abounded,
[59] Chagrin still appear'd in his looks.
Though first they delighted, his toys were now slighted,
And thrown away out of his sight;
He spent every morning in stretching and yawning,
Yet went to bed weary at night.
He had not that treasure which really makes pleasure,
(A secret discover'd by few) .
You'll take it for granted, more playthings he wanted;
Oh no—it was something to do.
We must have employment to give us enjoyment
And pass the time cheerfully away ”

“ Your housewife here, and there your workbag toss'd.
"Fie, fie, my child! indeed this will not do,
Your hair uncomb'd, your frock in tatters, too;
I'm now resolved no more delays to grant,
To learn of her, I'll send you to your aunt."
In vain Matilda wept, entreated, pray'd,
In vain a promise of amendment made.
Arrived at Austere Hall, Matilda sigh'd,
By Lady Rigid when severely eyed:
"You read and write, and work well, as I'm told,
Are gentle, kind, good-natured, and not bold ”

“ That ought to be so mild;
Oh! Mary, it's a shocking sight
To see an angry child.
I can't imagine, for my part,
The reason of your folly;
She did not do you any hurt
[63] By playing with your dolly.
See, see, the little tears that run
Fast from her watery eye:
Come, my sweet innocent, have done,
'Twill do no good to cry.
Go, Mary, wipe her tears away,
And make it up with kisses:
And never turn a pretty play
To such a pet as this is.
THE APPLE-TREE.
Old John had an apple-tree, healthy and green,
Which bore the best codlins that ever were seen,
So juicy, so mellow, and red ”

“ So, really, 'tis out of the way,
To think that I should not be better a deal
Than maids, and such people as they."
"Gentility, Charlotte," her mother replied,
"Belongs to no station or place;
And nothing's so vulgar as folly and pride,
Though dress'd in red slippers and lace.
"Not all the fine things that fine ladies possess
Should teach them the poor to despise;
For 'tis in good manners, and not in good dress,
That the truest gentility lies."
[46]
THE WOODEN DOLL AND THE WAX DOLL.
There were two friends, a very charming pair,
Brunette the brown, and Blanchidine the fair ”

“ Thank you, pretty cow, that made
Pleasant milk to soak my bread,
Every day and every night,
Warm, and fresh, and sweet, and white. ”

“ Come, Betty, make haste then, and fetch her away;
But do not be fretful, my darling; you know
[53] Mamma cannot love little girls that are so.
She shall soon go to bed and forget it all there—
Ah! here's her sweet smile come again, I declare:
That's right, for I thought you quite naughty before. ”

“ Henceforth 'tis she alone shall be my friend."
And so for this new friend in silks adorn'd,
Her poor Brunette was slighted, left, and scorn'd.
Of Blanchidine's vast stock of pretty toys,
[47] A wooden doll her every thought employs ”