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When I was old enough for skipping My school days began; By Mary's side you'd see me tripping — I was baby then.

A B C and One-two-three Were just so much Greek; But I could read, it seems to me, As soon as I could speak.

Before I knew how fast I grew I was the tallest there; Before my time was two-thirds thro’ I must plait my hair;

Before our Alice took a place And walkt beside her fancy, I had on my first pair of stays And saw myself Miss Nancy.

And then goodbye to form and desk And sudden floods of noise When fifteen minutes’ fun and frisk Make happy girls and boys.

As shrill as swifts in upper air Was our young shrillness: ‘ Twas joy of life,‘ twas strength to fare Broke the morning stillness.

I see us flit, as here I sit With wet-fring'd eyes, And never rime or reason to it — Like a maze of flies!

The boys would jump and catch your shoulder Just for the fun of it — They tease you worse as you grow older Because you want none of it.

I hear them call their saucy names — Mine was Maypole Nance; I see our windy bickering games, Half like a dance;

The opening and closing ring Of pinafored girls, And the wind that makes the cheek to sting Blowing back their curls!

There in the midst is Sally Waters, As it might be I, With the idle song of Sons and Daughters Drifting out and by

Sons and daughters! Break, break, Heart, if you can — How have they taught us treat sons and daughters Since I began?