Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHOOSING A NAME, by MARY LAMB



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHOOSING A NAME, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I have got a new-born sister
Last Line: I will leave papa to name her.
Subject(s): Children; Childhood


I HAVE got a new-born sister;
I was nigh the first that kissed her.
When the nursing-woman brought her
To papa, his infant daughter,
How papa's dear eyes did glisten! --
She will shortly be to christen;
And papa has made the offer,
I shall have the naming of her.
Now I wonder what would please her, --
Charlotte, Julia, or Louisa?
Ann and Mary, they're too common;
Joan's too formal for a woman;
Jane's a prettier name beside;
But we had a Jane that died.
They would say, if 't was Rebecca,
That she was a little Quaker.
Edith's pretty, but that looks
Better in old English books;
Ellen's left off long ago;
Blanche is out of fashion now.
None that I have named as yet
Are so good as Margaret.
Emily is neat and fine;
What do you think of Caroline?
How I'm puzzled and perplexed
What to choose or think of next!
I am in a little fever
Lest the name that I should give her
Should disgrace her or defame her; --
I will leave papa to name her.




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