Now Moses, what makes you so strange and forgetful? <br />How is it you heed what I tell you no more? <br />Just look at your picture -- who would not be fretful? <br />Your great muddy boots on my clean kitchen floor. <br />And there you are smoking -- Oh dear, 'tis provoking! <br />To tease and torment me it is your desire; <br />I'll throw your old-- no sir! indeed I'm not joking -- <br />I'll throw your old meerschaum right into the fire! <br /> <br />Now Moses, you'll catch it! Now Moses, don't touch it! <br />Now Moses, don't you hear what I say? (don't you hear it?) <br />'Tis thus without stopping, the music keeps dropping, <br />For night after night, and for day after day. <br /> <br />Now Moses, do tell me now what are you doing <br />Off there in the pantry so still and so sly? <br />I know very well there is some mischief brewing -- <br />Ha! that's what you're after, a whole cherry pie, <br />Stop! stop! you are taking the last of my baking, <br />The very last pie that was left on the shelf; <br />If ever one did, you deserve a good shaking, <br />And I've a great notion to try it myself. <br /> <br />Now Moses, come let us be pleasant and clever! <br />We must not in future lead such a sad life; <br />Come, you be my dear noble husband forever, <br />And I'll be forever your sweet loving wife. <br />Of course, some supposes that life is all roses, <br />But really I think that -- well now I declare! <br />You rascal! you villain! you stupid thing, Moses! <br />You laid your old currycomb right in my chair!<br /><br />Henry Clay Work<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/now-moses/
