Work and Play
With mamma for a teacher,
’Tis easy to learn;
Her eye gives her boy courage,
As hard pages turn.
She says, “Now, my dear Freddy,
Learn every word right;
If you’re patient, the hard spots
Will vanish from sight.
“When this task is well finished,
Your work will be done;
Then the time comes for playing,
Says every one.
“Your fleet rock-horse is waiting;
And baby shall see.”
Freddy learned well his lessons,
And rides full of glee.
Don’t tell me of to-morrow,
There is much to do to-day,
That can never be accomplished,
If we throw the hours away.
Every moment has its duty—
Who the future can foretell?
Then why put off till to-morrow,
What to-day can do as well?