Classic Poem

Three little maids, one winter day,
While others went to feed,
To sing, to laugh, to dance, to play,
More wisely went to — Reed.

Others, when lesson-time's begun,
Go, half inclined to cry,
Some in a walk, some in a run;
But these went in a — Fly.

I give to other little maids
A smile, a kiss, a look,
Presents whose memory quickly fades;
I give to these — a Book.

Happy Arcadia may blind,
While all abroad , their eyes;
At home, this book (I trust) they'll find
A very catching prize.