A Few Rules for Beginners

A Few Rules for Beginners

Original Text
Katherine Mansfield, Poems (London: Constable, 1923): 77. 11647.e.58 British Library
1Babies must not eat the coal
2And they must not make grimaces,
3Nor in party dresses roll
4And must never black their faces.
5They must learn that pointing's rude,
6They must sit quite still at table,
7And must always eat the food
8Put before them -- if they're able.
9If they fall, they must not cry,
10Though it's known how painful this is;
11No -- there's always Mother by
12Who will comfort them with kisses.
Publication Start Year
1923
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RPO 2000.
Rhyme