When I arose to speak one day,
I quite forgot what I had to say.
I thought, and thought, and tried in vain
To bring it to my mind again,
And there I stood, with head downcast,
A-dreading what would come at last.
The room grew dark, my heart grew sad,
I thought I surely would go mad;
I tried to speak, but not a word
Or e'en a whisper could be heard.
My limbs with palsy seemed to shake,
My heart with terror seemed to quake.
I heard a giggle clear and loud
Go rippling through the waiting crowd.
I could no longer stand the strain,
For bursting seemed my heart and brain.
Then to my feelings I gave vent,
And weeping to my seat I went.

MARION'S LAMENT

I'm such a lonely little girl,
And play all by myself;
I feel just like a broken doll
That's laid by on the shelf.
And when I'm tired of playing alone,
There's nothing else to do,
But wish I had a brother Joe,
Or little sister Sue.
I think I'll write to Santa Claus
And say I'm lone and sad;
And if he'll bring a baby girl,
I'll be so very glad.
I think that he will bring me one,
For Santa's good to me.
I'll tell him please to hang it on
My little Christmas tree.

WHEN I'M A BIG GIRL

I'll try to be good,
And do as I should,
I'll learn how to work
And never will shirk,
When I'm a big girl.
I'll do with my might
Whatever is right,
I'll study at school
And obey each rule,
When I'm a big girl.
With needle and yarn
My stockings I'll darn,
I'll comb my own tresses
And make my own dresses,
When I'm a big girl.
I'll learn how to bake
Some very nice cake,
I'll make my own bed
And mind what ma said,
When I'm a big girl.
I'll dust, and I'll sweep,
And my dollies I'll keep;
I'll stow them away
To look at some day,
When I'm a big girl.
I'll lay away toys
For some other joys,
I'll never make noise
Like the great big boys,
When I'm a big girl.
Now, had I more time
I'd tell you in rhyme
Some more that I'll do,
When I'm big like you.