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A Moral Alphabet.
by Hilaire Belloc.
A
stands for
[Ill.u.s.tration]
Archibald who told no lies, And got this lovely volume for a prize.
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The Upper School had combed and oiled their hair, And all the Parents of the Boys were there.
In words that ring like thunder through the Hall, Draw tears from some and loud applause from all,-- The Pedagogue, with Pardonable Joy, Bestows the Gift upon the Radiant Boy:--
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"Accept the n.o.blest Work produced as yet"
(Says he) "upon the English Alphabet; "Next term I shall examine you, to find "If you have read it thoroughly. So mind!"
And while the Boys and Parents cheered so loud, That out of doors
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a large and anxious crowd Had gathered and was blocking up the street, The admirable child resumed his seat.
MORAL.
Learn from this justly irritating Youth, To brush your Hair and Teeth and tell the Truth.
B stands for Bear.
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When Bears are seen Approaching in the distance, Make up your mind at once between Retreat and Armed Resistance.
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A Gentleman remained to fight-- With what result for him?
The Bear, with ill-concealed delight, Devoured him, Limb by Limb.
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Another Person turned and ran; He ran extremely hard: The Bear was faster than the Man, And beat him by a yard.
MORAL.
Decisive action in the hour of need Denotes the Hero, but does not succeed.
C stands for Cobra; when the Cobra
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bites An Indian Judge, the Judge spends restless nights.
MORAL.
This creature, though disgusting and appalling, Conveys no kind of Moral worth recalling.
D
The Dreadful
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Dinotherium he Will have to do his best for D.
The early world observed with awe His back, indented like a saw.
His look was gay, his voice was strong; His tail was neither short nor long; His trunk, or elongated nose, Was not so large as some suppose; His teeth, as all the world allows, Were graminivorous, like a cow's.
He therefore should have wished to pa.s.s Long peaceful nights upon the Gra.s.s, But being mad the brute preferred To roost in branches, like a bird.[A]
A creature heavier than a whale, You see at once, could hardly fail To suffer badly when he slid And tumbled
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(as he always did).
His fossil, therefore, comes to light All broken up: and serve him right.
MORAL.
If you were born to walk the ground, Remain there; do not fool around.
[A]
We have good reason to suppose He did so, from his claw-like toes.
E
