English poem
Thomas Brown'S Disappointment
by Mrs. Turner (1775–1846)
Young Alfred with a pack of cards Could make a pancake, build a house, Would make a regiment of guards, And sit as quiet as a mouse.
A silly boy, one Thomas Brown, Who came to dine and spend the day, Took great delight to throw it down, Then, rudely laughing, ran away.
And what did little Alfred do? He knew lamenting was in vain, So patiently, and wisely too, He, smiling, built it up again.