A BOOK FOR KIDS
by
C J Dennis
(1921)

[reissued as ROUNDABOUT (1935)]

A very charming gentleman, as old as old could be,Stared a while, and glared a while, and then he said to me:"Read your books, and heed your books, and put your books away,For you will surely need your books upon a later day."And then he wheezed and then he sneezed, and gave me such a look.And he said, "Mark--ME--boy! Be careful of your book."A very charming gentleman, indeed, he seemed to be.He heaved a sigh and wiped his eye, and then he said to me:"Take your books and make your books companions--never toys;For they who so forsake their books grow into gawky boys."I don't know who he was. Do you? he snuffled at the end;And he said, "Mark--ME--boy! Your book should be your friend."

A BOOK FOR KIDS

DEDICATIONTo all good children over four   And under four-and-eightyBe you not over-prone to pore   On matters grave and weighty.Mayhap you'll find within this book   Some touch of Youth's rare clowning,If you will condescend to look   And not descend to frowning.The mind of one small boy may hold   Odd fancies and inviting,To guide a hand unsure and old   That moves, these days, to writing.For hair once bright, in days of yore,   Grows grey (or somewhat slaty),And now, alas, he's over four,   Though under four-and-eighty.

CONTENTS

Dedication
A Very Charming Gentleman
The Baker
The Dawn Dance
Cuppacumalonga
The Swagman
The Ant Explorer
Riding Song
...