A charming present comes from town,
A baby-house quite neat;
With kitchen, parlours, dining-room,
And chambers, all complete.
A gift to Emma and to Rose,
From grandpa it came;
The little Rosa smil'd delight,
And Emma did the same.
They eagerly examin'd all--
The furniture was gay;
And in the rooms they plac'd their dolls,
When dress'd in fine array.
At night, their little candles lit,
And as they must be fed,
To supper down the dolls were plac'd,
And then were put to bed.
Thus Rose and Emma pass'd each hour
Devoted to their play;
And long were cheerful, happy, kind--
No cross disputes had they.
Till Rose in baby-house would change
The chairs which were below
"This carpet they would better suit;
I think I'll have it so."
"No, no indeed," her sister said,
"I'm older, Rose, than you;
And I'm the pet--the house is mine:
Miss, what I say is true."
The quarrel grew to such a height,
Mamma she heard the noise,
And coming in, beheld the floor
All strew'd with broken toys.
"O fie, my Emma! naughty Rose!
Say, why this sulk and pout?
Remember this is New Year's Day,
And both are going out."
Now Betty calls the little girls
To come upstairs and dress:
They still revile, with threats
And angry rage express.
But just prepar'd to leave their room,
Persisting yet in strife,
Rose sick'ning fell on Betty's lap.
As void of sense or life.
Mamma appear'd at Betty's call--
John for the doctor goes;
The measles, he begins to think,
Dread symptoms all disclose.
"But though I stay, my Emma, you
May go and spend the day."
"O no, mamma," replied the child,
"Do suffer me to stay.
"Beside my sister's bed I'll sit,
And watch her with such care,
"No pleasure can I e'er enjoy,
Till she my pleasure share.
"How silly now seems our dispute,
Not one of us she knows;
How pale she looks, how hard she breathes,
Poor pretty little Rose!"