LITTLE boys with pockets,
Little boys with none,
Little bright-eyed lassies
Gather, every one!
Crowd around me closely.
Would you master books?
You must first discover
How each letter looks.
=A= has a bar
Where a fairy might ride;
=B= is a post
With two loops at the side.
=C= might be round
If a piece you would lend;
=D= is a buck-saw
Standing on end.
=E= has a peg
In the middle, they say;
=F= is an E
With the bottom away.
=G= is like C,
With a block on one end;
=H= has a seat
That would hold you, depend.
=I= is so straight
It would do for a prop;
=J= is a crook
With a bar at the top.
=K= is a stick
With a crotch fastened to it.
=L= is a roost,
If the chickens but knew it.
=M= has four parts,
As you quickly may see;
=N=, the poor fellow!
Is made out of three.
=O= is so round
It would do for a hoop;
=P= is a stick
With a top like a loop.
=Q= to be curly
Is constantly trying;
=R= is like B,
With the bottom loop flying.
=S= is a snake,
All crooked and dread;
=T= is a pole
With a bar for a head.
=U= it is plain,
Would make a good swing;
=V= is as sharp
As a bumble-bee's sting.
=W= ought
To be called double-V;
=X= is a cross,
As you plainly can see;
=Y= is just formed
Like a V on a stand;
=Z= is the crookedest
Thing in the land!
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EARLY to bed and early to rise:
If _that_ would make me wealthy and wise
I'd rise at daybreak, cold or hot,
And go back to bed at once. Why not?
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