XVI. The Dunce.

Mss Bell was almost seven years old,

A shame to tell indeed!

But when the real truth is told,

She scarce could spell or read.

She went to school and tore her book,

But never tried to learn;

Sometimes at pictures she would look,

And turn the leaves, and turn.

Her needles and her thread she lost,

And often was without;

For though she knew how much they cost,

She left them all about.

But very much she was disgrac'd

Deservedly at school;

She wore an ugly mask, while plac'd

Upon the dunce's stool.