Next Rhyme

 
A Very Charming Gentleman
 

A very charming gentleman, as old as old could be,
Stared a while, and glared a while, and then he said to me:

"Read your books, and heed your books, and put your books away,

For you will surely need your books upon a later day."

And then he wheezed and then he sneezed, and gave me such a look.
 
And he said, "Mark--ME--boy! Be careful of your book."

A very charming gentleman, indeed, he seemed to be.

He heaved a sigh and wiped his eye, and then he said to me:

"Take your books and make your books companions--never toys;

For they who so forsake their books grow into gawky boys."

I don't know who he was. Do you? he snuffled at the end;

And he said, "Mark--ME--boy! Your book should be your friend."