Better than hoop or doll,
I love my pretty chattering poll,
For tho' the creature mocks my words
I know her mock'ry but a bird's.
And while upon my neck she'll loll,
And screaming out, "Pretty Poll,"
I learn from the sweet chattering elf,
To not have too much tongue myself.
I learn how many girls there be,
Who without thinking talk like she,
And parrot like they ever chatter,
When they should think of something better.
Thus while I hear her prattle words,
I think that girls should not be birds,
Nor like them waste their time so dear,
In chattering everything they hear.
[Illustration: ELIZABETH WITH HER NEW FROCK.]