Only, a boy, with his fearful tread,
Who cannot be driven, but must be led;
Who troubles the neighbors' dogs and cats,
And who tears more clothes and spoils more hats,
Loses more tops, and kites, and bats,
Than would stock a store,
For a year or more.
Only a boy, who will be a man,
If nature goes on with her first great plan;
If water, or fire, or some fatal snare
Conspire not to rob us of this, our heir.
Our blessing, our trouble, our rest, our care;
Our torment, our joy—
"Only, a boy."
JOHNNY AND THE TOAD.
Johnny.
I want to go to school,
And he won't let me pass.
I think that a toad
Ought to keep to the grass.
I don't want to cry,
But I'm afraid I'm going to;
Oh, dear me!
What am I to do?
Toad.
Here's a dreadful thing!
A boy in the way;
I don't know what to do,
I don't know what to say.
I can't see the reason
Such monsters should be loose;
I'm trembling all over,
But that is of no use.
Johnny.
I Must go to school,
The bell is going to stop;
That terrible old toad,
If only he would hop.
Toad.
I Must cross the path,
I can hear my children croak;
I hope that dreadful boy
Will not give me a poke.
A hop, and a start, a flutter, and a rush,
Johnny is at school, and the toad in his bush.
| Holds a Moss rose, Covered with down. | |
| Stands for Walnuts, In the woods they are found. | |
| Is an Orange, So juicy and sweet. | |
| A Pine-apple, Both are good to eat. |