THE BABY'S OMAR

OMAR'S the fad! Well then, let us indite

The shape of verse old Omar used to write;

And Juveniles are up. So we opine

A Baby's Omar would be out of sight!

Methinks the stunt is easy. Stilted style,

A misplaced Capital once in a while,—

Other verse writers do it like a shot;

And can't I do it too? Well, I should Smile!

But how I ramble on. I must dismiss

Dull Sloth, and set to Work at once, I wis;

I sometimes think there's nothing quite so hard

As a Beginning. Say we start like this:

Indeed, indeed my apron oft before

I tore, but was I naughty when I tore?

And then, and then came Ma, and thread in hand

Repaired the rent in my small pinafore.

A Penny Trumpet underneath the Bough,

A Drum that's big enough to make a Row;

A Toy Fire-Engine, and a squeaking Doll,

Oh, Life were Pandemonium enow.

Come, fill the Cup, then quickly on the floor

Your portion of the Porridge gaily pour.

The Nurse will Spank you, and she'll be discharged,—

Ah, but of Nurses there be Plenty more.

Yes, I can do it! Now, if but my Purse

Some kindly Editor will reimburse,

I'll write a Baby's Omar; for I'm sure

These Sample Stanzas here are not so worse.

Carolyn Wells.