That model Miss, Jemima Jane

Was very good, and very plain;

Her parents noticed with delight

How neat she was, and how polite.

Sometimes her young companions came

And begged she’d join them in a game.

But it was never any use;

She’d make some civil, quiet excuse,

And, “Dear Mama,” she’d whisp’ring say,

“I love plain sewing more than play;

I hope you’ll always think of me

As your own gentle, busy Bee!”

Jane rose at five. “What for?” you ask;

And I reply, “To con her task.”

She breakfasted on milk and bread,

Nor ever asked for aught instead;

“I like it best, because,” said she,

“’Tis wholesome for a child like me.”

She used to think it quite a treat,

To put her bed and chamber neat;

But she enjoyed—oh, better far!

Saying her tasks to her Mama.

She took the air when these were done,

But she would never romp and run;

Prim and sedate she walked about,

Her back quite straight, her toes turned out:

And all the people, seeing this,

Exclaimed, “Oh, what a model Miss!”

Jane’s Uncle, who lived far away,

Sent her Mama a note one day,

Explaining that he found he had

To spend a fortnight in Bagdad.

He had a daughter, and ’twas plain

He hoped that she might stay with Jane.

“She’s a sad puss,” he said, “I own;

But I can’t leave the child alone.”

“I think,” Mama said, in a fuss,

“We can’t have her to stay with us:

I do not like my Jane to mix

With children who have naughty tricks.”

But Jane said, with a gentle smile,

Plying her needle all the while,

“Pray, let her come here, dear Mama,

With the permission of Papa;

I have a hope that she might be

Influenced for her good by me:

For I could show her that she would

Be happier if she were good.”

At this her kind Mama relented,

And, as her good Papa consented,

That very day her mother wrote

Her uncle quite a cordial note,

Saying, “I think that it is clear

Your Ann should spend your absence here”

As she expected Ann quite soon,

She bought a rod that afternoon.

And sure enough, next Tuesday, Ann

Was brought there by a serving-man.

Alas! alas! it soon was plain