A Moral Alphabet by Hilaire Belloc

A Moral Alphabet by Hilaire Belloc.

Excerpt:

For a Family

taking a walk

In Arcadia Terrace, no doubt:

The parents indulge in intelligent talk,

While the children they gambol about.

At a quarter-past six they return to their tea,
Of a kind that would hardly be tempting to me,

Though my appetite passes belief.

There is jam, Ginger Beer, Buttered Toast, Marmalade,
With a Cold Leg of Mutton and Warm Lemonade,

And a large Pigeon Pie very skillfully made

To consist almost wholly of Beef.

MORAL

A Respectable Family taking the air

Is a subject on which I could dwell;

It contains all the morals that ever there were,

And it sets an example as well.