A Dutiful Child is the Joy of its Parents

I must not tease my mother, For she is very kind; And every thing she says to me, I must directly mind; For when I was a baby, And could not speak or walk, She let me in her bosom sleep, And taught me how to talk.

I must not tease my mother; And when she likes to read, Or has the headache, I will step Most silently, indeed. I will not choose a noisy play, Or trifling troubles tell; But sit down quiet by her side, And try to make her well.

I must not tease my mother; I have heard my father say, When I was in my cradle sick, She tended me all day. She lays me in my little bed, She gives me clothes and food, And I have nothing else to pay, But trying to be good.

I must not tease my mother; She loves me all the day, And she has patience with my faults, And teaches me to pray; How much I’ll strive to please her She every hour shall see, For, should she go away, or die, What would become of me!