BEWARE OF THE WOLF.


Beware Of The Wolf


YOU never need fear, little children, to meet

A wolf in the garden, the wood, or the street;

Red Riding-hood's story is only a fable,

I'll give it's moral as well as I'm able;

Bad Temper's the wolf which we meet everywhere

Beware of this wolf! Little children, beware!

I know of a boy, neither gentle nor wise,

If you tell him a fault he gives saucy replies;

If kept from his way, in a fury he flies

Ah! Passion's the wolf with the very large eyes;

"Tis ready to snap and to trample and tear

Beware of this wolf! Little children, beware!

I know of a girl always trying to learn

About things with which she should have no concern;

Such mean Curiosity really appears

To me like the wolf with the very large ears,

All pricked up to listen, each secret to share

Beware of this wolf! Little children, beware!

And Greediness, that's like the wolf in the wood

With the very large mouth, ever prowling for food,

That eats so much more than for health can be good;

That would clear a whole pastry cook's shop if it could;

That never a dainty to others would spare

Beware of this wolf! Little children, beware!

Passion, Prying, and Greediness, each thus appears

As a wolf with fierce eyes, a large mouth, or big ears,

They bring to our nurseries fighting and fears,

They cause bitter quarreling, trouble, and tears.

Oh! chase them and drive them all back to their lair

Beware of the wolf! Little children, beware!







 YI