If anything your little income shakes—Tom Smith.
Of children you’ve a troop—an interesting group,
But to tell how many form it you forgot—Tom Smith.
Say five or six in all, which for “a troop” is small.—
Of bread and butter they must eat a lot—Tom Smith.
Of their clothes you may be spare, but they cannot go quite bare,
And whooping-cough and measles you must count—Tom Smith,
And if only one be ill, I’m afraid the doctor’s bill
Might at Christmas prove a serious amount—Tom Smith.
’Tis philosophy, no doubt, trifles not to fret about,