THE DUNCE OF A KITTEN.
Come, pussy, will you learn to read.
I’ve got a pretty book?
Nay, turn this way, you must indeed.—
Fie, there’s a sulky look.
Here is a pretty picture, see,
An apple, and great A:
How stupid you will ever be,
If you do naught but play.
Come, A, B, C, an easy task,
What any fool can do:
I will do any thing you ask,
For dearly I love you.
Now, how I’m vexed, you are so dull,
You have not learnt it half:
You will grow up a downright fool,
And make all people laugh.
Mother so told me, I declare,
And made me quite ashamed;
So I resolved no pains to spare,
Nor like a dunce be blamed.
Well, get along, you naughty Kit,
And after mice go look;
I’m glad that I have got more wit,
I love my pretty book.