| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| Polly |
| | | William Brighty Rands (1823–80) |
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| |
| BROWN eyes, | |
| Straight nose; | |
| Dirt pies, | |
| Rumpled clothes; | |
| |
| Torn books, | 5 |
| Spoilt toys; | |
| Arch looks, | |
| Unlike a boy’s; | |
| |
| Little rages, | |
| Obvious arts; | 10 |
| (Three her age is,) | |
| Cakes, tarts; | |
| |
| Falling down | |
| Off chairs; | |
| Breaking crown | 15 |
| Down stairs; | |
| |
| Catching flies | |
| On the pane; | |
| Deep sighs,— | |
| Cause not plain; | 20 |
| |
| Bribing you | |
| With kisses | |
| For a few | |
| Farthing blisses; | |
| |
| Wide awake, | 25 |
| As you hear, | |
| “Mercy’s sake, | |
| Quiet, dear!” | |
| |
| New shoes, | |
| New frock, | 30 |
| Vague views | |
| Of what’s o’clock, | |
| |
| When it ’s time | |
| To go to bed, | |
| And scorn sublime | 35 |
| For what it said; | |
| |
| Folded hands, | |
| Saying prayers, | |
| Understands | |
| Not, nor cares; | 40 |
| |
| Thinks it odd, | |
| Smiles away; | |
| Yet may God | |
| Hear her pray! | |
| |
| Bedgown white, | 45 |
| Kiss Dolly; | |
| Goodnight!— | |
| That ’s Polly. | |
| |
| Fast asleep, | |
| As you see; | 50 |
| Heaven keep | |
| My girl for me! | |
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