The babe was in the cradle laid,
And Tom had said his prayers,
When Frances told the nursery-maid
She would not go upstairs!
She cried so loud, her mother came
To ask the reason why,
And said, "Oh, Frances, fie for shame!
Oh fie! oh fie! oh fie!"
But Frances was more naughty still,
And Betty sadly nipp'd;
Until her mother said, "I will--
I must have Frances whipp'd.
"For, oh! how naughty 'tis to cry,
But worse, much worse, to fight,
Instead of running readily,
And calling out, 'Good-night!'"