---

Ann Taylor - Frances Keeps Her Promise
Work rating: Low

"MY Fanny, I have news to tell, 
Your diligence quite pleases me; 
You`ve work`d so neatly, read so well, 
With cousin Jane you may take tea. 
 
"But pray remember this, my love, 
Although to stay you should incline, 
And none but you should think to move, 
I wish you to return at nine. " 

With many thanks the attentive child
Assured mamma she would obey: 
Whom tenderly she kiss`d, and smiled, 
And with the maid then went away. 

Arrived, the little girl was shown
To where she met the merry band; 
And when her coming was made known, 
All greet her with a welcome bland.
 
They dance, they play, and sweetly sing, 
In every sport each one partakes; 
And now the servants sweetmeats bring, 
With wine and jellies, fruit and cakes. 

Then comes papa, who says, "My dears, 
The magic lantern if you`d see,
And that which on the wall appears, 
Leave off your play, and follow me." 

While Frances too enjoy`d the sight,
Where moving figures all combine
To raise her wonder and delight,
She hears, alas! the clock strike nine.
 
"Miss Fanny`s maid for her is come." –
"Oh dear, how soon!" the children cry; 
They press, but Fanny will go home,
And bids her little friends good bye. 

"See, dear mamma, I have not stay`d;" 
"Good girl, indeed," mamma replies, 
"I knew you`d do as you had said, 
And now you`ll find you`ve won a prize.
 
"So come, my love, and see the man
Whom I desired at nine to call." 
Down stairs young Frances quickly ran, 
And found him waiting in the hall. 

"Here, Miss, are pretty birds to buy,
A parrot or macaw so gay; 
A speckled dove with scarlet eye: 
A linnet or a chattering jay. 
 
"Would you a Java sparrow love?" 
"No, no, I thank you," said the child; 
"I`ll have a beauteous cooing dove,
So harmless, innocent, and mild. " 

"Your choice, my Fanny, I commend,
Few birds can with the dove compare: 
But lest it pine without a friend, 
I give you leave to choose a pair.
Source
The script ran 0.004 seconds.