It wasn't that he'd purchase hosts

Of squibs and sweets to mess the pantry;

That horrid boy, and broomstick-ghosts

On timid JANE would oft, and ANN try.

These petty peccadilloes might

Have all improved with careful training.—

It was his shameless appetite

That gave us cause for most complaining.

He swilled and stuffed as never mere

Adult voracity can own to;