Poor Children.
Reading edition
When I go in the meadows, or walk in the street,
Very often a many poor children I meet,
Without shoes or stockings to cover their feet.
Their clothes are all ragged, and let in the cold;
And they have very little to eat, I am told:
Oh dear! ’tis a pitiful sight to behold.
And then, what is worse, very often they are
Quite naughty and wicked: I never can bear
To hear how they quarrel together and swear.
For often they use naughty words in their play;
And I might have been quite as wicked as they,
Had I not been taught better, I’ve heard mamma say.
Oh, how very thankful I always should be,
That I have kind parents to watch over me,
Who teach me from wickedness ever to flee!
And as mamma tells me, I certainly should
Mind all that is taught me, and be very good,
For if those poor children knew better—they would.