Classic Poem

O what a racketing and noise,
From morning until night,
These restless children make,—I'm kept
For ever in a fright.

A boist'rous burst of merriment
Rings pealing in my ears,
Anon discordant screams and yells
Awake my keenest fears.

I read, but cannot understand,
I try in vain to think,
My dizzy brain wheels round and round,
As if I were in drink.

Then in the bold insurgents rush,
When I would write or draw,
With “Sketch me this,” and “Scrawl me that,”
“O there's a dear papa!”

They're off, when lo! a sudden lull,
A silence hushed and still,
Steals o'er the house, like death, and makes
My blood run cold and chill.

But hark! now loud and louder screams
My tingling ears annoy;
“These screaming girls will drive me mad,
I wish I had a boy.”

I ring the bell, I cry “Good nurse,
Cannot you keep them quiet?
A full brigade of boys could ne'er
Kick up so loud a riot.”

When lo! the nurse placed in my arms
An infant young and fair,
“This is the boy who bawled so loud,
Come, kiss your son and heir.”