THE NURSERY MAID.

LET children always, when they're ill,

Both eat and drink whate'er they will;

Although‘ forbid’ by Doctor Diet,

‘ Twill do‘ em good, and keep‘ em quiet.

They'll love you — all, and take it kind too,

To throw their physic out of window:

Remember, though,‘ tis quite as well

To bid the poor things “not to tell.”

Do for your Mistress just the same,

If laid up either sick or lame;

And if she‘ longs,’ — whate'er the food,

Engage that it will do her good.

But if she goes to whip a child,

Declare you're‘ druv’ distracted, wild;

And swear to leave her place you'd‘ ruther,’

Than live with such a cruel mother!

But do n't go far enough to fret her;

She'll scold, but love you all the better

For taking the‘ dear children's part,’ —

You've “railly such a tender heart!”

Yet when you're flirting in the park,

Make‘ em stop out till quite pitch dark;

And‘ if so be as how’ they cry,

“They'll go to Bogey certain-ly!”