Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.
Joseph Ashby-Sterry b. 1838The Little Rebel
P
Tomboy in trouserettes,
Eyes are like violets,
Gleefully glancing!
Skin like an otter sleek,
Nose like a baby Greek,
Sweet little dimple-cheek,
Merrily dancing!
Over the dale and hills.
Hark, how her laughter thrills!
Joyously joking:
Yet, should she feel inclin’d,
I fancy you will find,
She, like all womankind,
Oft is provoking.
Sometimes she unawares
Slyly creeps up the stairs,
Secretly hiding:
Then will this merry maid—
She is of nought afraid—
Come down the balustrade,
Saucily sliding!
But see her go on skates,
And over five-barr’d gates
Fearlessly scramble!
Climbing up apple-trees,
Barking her supple knees,
Flouting mamma’s decrees,
Out for a ramble.
Then she is pert and bold,
Minds not what she is told,
Carelessly tripping.
She is an April miss,
Bounding to grief from bliss;
Often she has a kiss,—
Sometimes a whipping!
Through life she gayly twirls,
Shaking her sunny curls,
Careless and joyful.
Ev’ry one on her dotes,
Carolling merry notes,
Pet in short petticoats,
Truly tomboyful!