Uncle Bessie, Josie, seems to me Two small girls I chanced to see Nid-nid-nodding in their pew. Oh, I hope it wasn't you! The Girls. Well, but, uncle, don't you know, Saturday we had to go On that picnic? Had to play, Oh, so hard! the livelong day. Uncle. I'll forgive you, Jo and Bess, For I really must confess -- Keep it secret, children, do! I was rather sleepy, too! The Girls. Uncle, did you have to play, Oh, so hard! all Saturday? Uncle. No, alas! my play I shirked. I just worked, and worked, and worked. Late last night I went to bed, And got up -- a sleepy head! The Girls. Well, then, uncle, I don't see But you're just as bad as we! Uncle. Just as wicked, I'll admit. Aren't we all ashamed of it? Drowsy head and sleepy face There in Christ's own dwelling-place! Come, my lassies, what d'ye say? Let's reform next Saturday! You to do a little less Of your playing, Jo and Bess; I to wheedle from the store Time to play a little more. Then I'm sure that we'll succeed And keep awake. The Girls. Well, we're agreed! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ADELAIDE CRAPSEY by CARL SANDBURG AT APRIL by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE THE DORCHESTER GIANT by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES NOCTURNAL SKETCH; BLANK VERSE IN RHYME by THOMAS HOOD ON A BUST OF DANTE by THOMAS WILLIAM PARSONS A LONDON FETE by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE DOWN BY THE SALLEY GARDENS by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS THE DANUBE RIVER by C. HAMILTON AIDE HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 44 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH |