Now clear all matter from your mind, Except the work you have in hand, And study hard until you find Good rhyming words at your command. Compose one verse from end to end, With equal feet in every line, See that the words in metre blend, And that the rhyme is true and fine. Beware of mistakes when you write, Never say what needs correction, Then men will say what you indite Is poetry in perfection. Don’t mix grand thoughts with silly ones, Nor call men by improper names, If things weigh pounds don’t call them tons, Nor make the world appear in flames. Remember you’re an honest youth, And never write what is not true, Be governed by the laws of truth, In every thing you say or do. In language manly and refined, Praise in song the heavenly plan, And use the lowers of your mind, In lifting up your fellowman. AN ACROSTIC. Written for a niece of P. T. Barnum, 1863. =F=ear not the scoffs of the heartless, =A= manly self reliance show, =N=o want can make thy head brainless, =N=or money make thy spirit low. =Y=ield not thy honor nor courage, =T=rue principles ever maintain, =H=old to thy noble lineage, =O=n their record permit no stain. =M=ake no friendship with the wicked, =P=refer poverty to their love, =S=how with heart and mind united =O=n the God of heaven above, =N=o one can turn thee from His love. CHARLEY’S PUPPY. Charley wrote me that his puppy was white but had a black spot on his back. A spot of black Upon his back, Will plainly mark your puppy dog; A spot of red Upon his head, Would show he’s not a little hog. What puppies know They scarce can show, Until their mammies let them out; Like little boys That play with toys, They hardly know what they’re about. A master once, A cruel dunce, Struck hard his puppy while at play; The puppy sad, Felt awful bad, Dropped down his tail and ran away. A master kind Will quickly find, That puppies try to do their part; So gentle be, Let puppy see There’s no black spot upon your heart. MERRY CHRISTMAS. Written for Children. Merry Christmas, friends, I wish you all well, And many pretty things for your pockets, May your Christmas box be a great big shell, Filled with everything nice but sky rockets. May England and France, with Turkey and Greece, All contribute to your pleasure and mirth, And chickens and quail, with turkeys and geese, Make you feel as if you owned the whole earth.