COURAGE
Mervyn and Charles and little Ann
Rose early from their Rest;
Who should be First, as out they ran,
They joyfully contest.
Mervyn was Senior by one Year
To Charles, whose Summers six
Exceeded Ann’s, it would appear,
By Two, and Seven Weeks.
Among the Flowers that smell so sweet
They pluck’d a Posy gay,
To give Mama a pleasant Treat
Upon her Natal Day.
But oh! from off a blooming Rose
Ann gather’d with Delight,
A cruel Wasp upon her Nose
Did suddenly alight.
She loudly scream’d, and Mervyn seiz’d
The Insect in his Clasp,
Nor loosed his Hold ere it was squeez’d
And crush’d within his Grasp.
Though painful Stings his Hand inflam’d
He did not Cry nor Quail,
And kind Mama with Pride exclaim’d
When Charles told her the Tale.
Such Youths grow up as Soldiers brave,
Or Sailors bold and free;
And thus Britannia’s Flag shall wave
Supreme on every Sea.