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Ann Taylor - James And The Shoulder Of Mutton
Work rating: Low

YOUNG Jem at noon return`d from school, 
As hungry as could be, 
He cried to Sue, the servant-maid, 
"My dinner give to me. " 

Said Sue, "It is not yet come home;
Besides, it is not late. " 
"No matter that, " cries little Jem, 
"I do not like to wait. " 

Quick to the baker`s Jemmy went
And ask`d, "Is dinner done?" 
"It is," replied the baker`s man. 
"Then home with it I`ll run." 

"Nay, Sir, " replied he prudently, 
"I tell you `tis too hot, 
And much too heavy `tis for you. " 
"I tell you it is not." 
 
"Papa, mamma, are both gone out, 
And I for dinner long; 
So give it me, it is all mine, 
And baker, hold your tongue. 

"A shoulder `tis of mutton nice! 
And batter-pudding too; 
I`m glad of that, it is so good; 
How clever is our Sue! " 

Now near the door young Jem was come, 
He round the corner turn`d, 
But oh, sad fate! unlucky chance! 
The dish his fingers burn`d.
 
Now in the kennel down fell dish, 
And down fell all the meat: 
Swift went the pudding in the stream, 
And sail`d along the street. 
 
The people laugh`d, and rude boys grinn`d
At mutton`s hapless fall; 
But though ashamed, young Jemmy cried, 
"Better lose part than all." 

The shoulder by the knuckle seized, 
His hands both grasp`d it fast, 
And deaf to all their gibes and cries,
He gain`d his home at last.
 
"Impatience is a fault," cries Jem, 
"The baker told me true; 
In future I will patient be, 
And mind what says our Sue. "
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