THE NURSERY MAID.
Let children always, when they're ill,
Both eat and drink whate'er they will;
Although 'forbid' by Doctor Diet,
'Twill do 'em good, and keep 'em quiet.
They'll love you—all, and take it kind too,
To throw their physic out of window:
Remember, though, 'tis quite as well
To bid the poor things "not to tell."
Do for your Mistress just the same,
If laid up either sick or lame;
And if she 'longs,'—whate'er the food,
Engage that it will do her good.
But if she goes to whip a child,
Declare you're 'druv' distracted, wild;
And swear to leave her place you'd 'ruther,'
Than live with such a cruel mother!
But don't go far enough to fret her;
She'll scold, but love you all the better
For taking the 'dear children's part,'—
You've "railly such a tender heart!"
Yet when you're flirting in the park,
Make 'em stop out till quite pitch dark;
And 'if so be as how' they cry,
"They'll go to Bogey certain-ly!"
