I must not tease my mother, <br />For she is very kind; <br />And everything she says to me <br />I must directly mind; <br />For when I was a baby, <br />And could not speak or walk. <br />She let me in her bosom sleep, <br />And taught me how to talk. <br /> <br />I must not tease my mother; <br />And when she likes to read, <br />Or has the headache, I will step <br />Most silently indeed: <br />I will not choose a noisy play, <br />Nor trifling troubles tell, <br />But sit down quite by her side, <br />And try to make her well. <br /> <br />I must not tease my mother; <br />I've heard dear father say <br />When I was in my cradle sick <br />She nursed me night and day; <br />she lays me in my little bed, <br />She gives me clothes and food, <br />And I have nothing else to pay <br />But trying to be good. <br /> <br />I must not tease my mother; <br />She loves me all the day, <br />And she has patience with my faults, <br />And teaches me to pray, <br />How much I'll strive to please her, <br />She every hour shall see, <br />For should she go away or die, <br />What would become of me?<br /><br />Lydia Howard Huntley Sigourney<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-must-not-tease-my-mother/
