A Poem Advising Bad Children To Not Be So Bad

Another silly poem from G.K. Chesterton’s ally, Hilaire Belloc, appears at SW Shorts today. Laughter is good for the soul –Andrew

I call you bad, my little child,
Upon the title page,
Because a manner rude and wild
Is common at your age.

The Moral of this priceless work
(If rightly understood)
Will make you—from a little Turk—
Unnaturally good.

Do not as evil children do,
Who on the slightest grounds
Will imitate the Kangaroo,
With wild unmeaning bounds:

Do not as children badly bred,
Who eat like little Hogs,
And when they have to go to bed
Will whine like Puppy Dogs:

Who take their manners from the Ape,
Their habits from the Bear,
Indulge the loud unseemly jape,
And never brush their hair.

But so control your actions that
Your friends may all repeat.
‘This child is dainty as the Cat,
And as the Owl discreet.’