Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

William Brighty Rands 1823–80

Polly

BROWN eyes,

Straight nose;

Dirt pies,

Rumpled clothes;

Torn books,

Spoilt toys;

Arch looks,

Unlike a boy’s;

Little rages,

Obvious arts;

(Three her age is,)

Cakes, tarts;

Falling down

Off chairs;

Breaking crown

Down stairs;

Catching flies

On the pane;

Deep sighs,—

Cause not plain;

Bribing you

With kisses

For a few

Farthing blisses;

Wide awake,

As you hear,

“Mercy’s sake,

Quiet, dear!”

New shoes,

New frock,

Vague views

Of what’s o’clock,

When it ’s time

To go to bed,

And scorn sublime

For what it said;

Folded hands,

Saying prayers,

Understands

Not, nor cares;

Thinks it odd,

Smiles away;

Yet may God

Hear her pray!

Bedgown white,

Kiss Dolly;

Goodnight!—

That ’s Polly.

Fast asleep,

As you see;

Heaven keep

My girl for me!