I REMEMBER, I remember, When I was a little Boy, One fine morning in September Uncle brought me home a toy. I remember how he patted Both my cheeks in kindliest mood; 'Then,' said he, 'you little Fat-head, There's a top because you're good.' Grandmamma -- a shrewd observer -- I remember gazed upon My new top, and said with fervour, 'Oh! how kind of Uncle John!' While mamma, my form caressing, -- In her eye the tear-drop stood, Read me this fine moral lesson, 'See what comes of being good!' I remember, I remember, On a wet and windy day, One cold morning in December, I stole out and went to play: I remember Billy Hawkins Came, and with his pewter squirt Squibb'd my pantaloons and stockings, Till they were all over dirt! To my mother for protection I ran, quaking every limb: -- She exclaim'd, with fond affection, 'Gracious Goodness! look at @3him!@1' -- Pa cried, when he saw my garment, -- 'Twas a newly purchased dress -- 'Oh! you nasty little @3Warment,@1 How came you in such a mess?' Then he caught me by the collar, -- Cruel only to be kind -- And to my exceeding dolour, Gave me -- several slaps behind. Grandmamma, while yet I smarted, As she saw my evil plight, Said -- 'twas rather stony-hearted -- 'Little rascal! @3sarve@1 him right!' I remember, I remember, From that sad and solemn day, Never more in dark December Did I venture out to play. And the moral which they taught, I Well remember; thus they said -- 'Little Boys, when they are naughty, Must be whipp'd and sent to bed!' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BARNEY'S INVITATION by PHILIP FRENEAU THE LITTLE KNIGHT IN GREEN by KATHARINE LEE BATES KING VICTOR EMANUEL ENTERS FLORENCE, APRIL, 1860 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING ON MR. CRUIKSHANK OF THE HIGH SCHOOL, EDINBURGH by ROBERT BURNS |