I REMEMBER, I remember, When I was a little Boy, One fine morning in September Uncle brought me home a toy. I remember how he patted Both my cheeks in kindliest mood; 'Then,' said he, 'you little Fat-head, There's a top because you're good.' Grandmamma -- a shrewd observer -- I remember gazed upon My new top, and said with fervour, 'Oh! how kind of Uncle John!' While mamma, my form caressing, -- In her eye the tear-drop stood, Read me this fine moral lesson, 'See what comes of being good!' I remember, I remember, On a wet and windy day, One cold morning in December, I stole out and went to play: I remember Billy Hawkins Came, and with his pewter squirt Squibb'd my pantaloons and stockings, Till they were all over dirt! To my mother for protection I ran, quaking every limb: -- She exclaim'd, with fond affection, 'Gracious Goodness! look at @3him!@1' -- Pa cried, when he saw my garment, -- 'Twas a newly purchased dress -- 'Oh! you nasty little @3Warment,@1 How came you in such a mess?' Then he caught me by the collar, -- Cruel only to be kind -- And to my exceeding dolour, Gave me -- several slaps behind. Grandmamma, while yet I smarted, As she saw my evil plight, Said -- 'twas rather stony-hearted -- 'Little rascal! @3sarve@1 him right!' I remember, I remember, From that sad and solemn day, Never more in dark December Did I venture out to play. And the moral which they taught, I Well remember; thus they said -- 'Little Boys, when they are naughty, Must be whipp'd and sent to bed!' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE GLOVE AND THE LIONS by JAMES HENRY LEIGH HUNT TWILIGHT by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW AN OLD BATTLE-FIELD by FRANK LEBBY STANTON THE COMMONPLACE by WALT WHITMAN SONNET: TO L.T. IN FLORENCE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 16 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 42 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH |