Classic Poem

O thou that sleep'st like pig in straw,
—Thou lady dear, arise!
Open, to keep the sun in awe,
—Thy pretty pinking eyes:
And, having stretched each leg and arm,
—Put on your clean white smock,
And then, I pray, to keep you warm,
—A petticoat on dock.

Arise, arise! Why should you sleep
—When you have slept enough?
Long since, French boys cried ‘Chimney-sweep,’
—And damsels ‘Kitchen-stuff.’
The shops were opened long before,
—And youngest prentice goes
To lay at 's mistress' chamber-door
—His master's shining shoes.

Arise, arise! Your breakfast stays—
—Good water-gruel warm,
Or sugar-sops, which Galen says
—With mace will do no harm.
Arise, arise! When you are up
—You 'll find more to your cost—
For morning's-draught in caudle-cup,
—Good nut-brown ale and toast.

O thou that sleep'st like pig in straw,
—Thou lady dear, arise!
Open, to keep the sun in awe,
—Thy pretty pinking eyes:
And, having stretched each leg and arm,
—Put on your clean white smock,
And then, I pray, to keep you warm,
—A petticoat on dock.

Arise, arise! Why should you sleep
—When you have slept enough?
Long since, French boys cried ‘Chimney-sweep,’
—And damsels ‘Kitchen-stuff.’
The shops were opened long before,
—And youngest prentice goes
To lay at 's mistress' chamber-door
—His master's shining shoes.

Arise, arise! Your breakfast stays—
—Good water-gruel warm,
Or sugar-sops, which Galen says
—With mace will do no harm.
Arise, arise! When you are up
—You 'll find more to your cost—
For morning's-draught in caudle-cup,
—Good nut-brown ale and toast.