DICK AND I
We're going to a party, my brother Dick and I:
The best, grandest party we ever did try:
And I'm very happy—but Dick is so shy!
I've got a white ball-dress, and flowers in my hair,
And a scarf, with a brooch too, mamma let me wear:
Silk stockings, and shoes with high heels, I declare!
There is to be music—a real soldier's band:
And I mean to waltz, and eat ice, and be fanned,
Like a grown-up young lady, the first in the land.
But Dick is so stupid, so silent and shy:
Has never learnt dancing, so says he won't try—
Yet Dick is both older and wiser than I.
And I'm fond of my brother—this darling old Dick:
I'll hunt him in corners wherever he stick,
He's bad at a party—but at school he's a brick!
So good at his Latin, at cricket, football,
Whatever he tries at. And then he's so tall!
Yet at play with the children he's best of us all.
And his going to the party is just to please me,
Poor Dick! so good-natured. How dull he will be!
But he says I shall dance "like a wave o' the sea."
That's Shakespeare, his Shakespeare, he worships him so.
Our Dick he writes poems, though none will he show;
I found out his secret, but I won't tell: no, no.
And when he's a great man, a poet you see,
O dear! what a proud little sister I'll be;
Hark! there comes the carriage. We're off, Dick and me.