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by (Joseph) Hilaire Belloc (1870 - 1953)

Twelve Letters: A Moral Alphabet
Language: English 
A stands for Archibald who told no lies,
And got this lovely volume for a prize.
The Upper School had combed and oiled their hair,
And all the Parents of the Boys were there.

In words that ring like thunder through the Hall,
Draw tears from some and loud applause from all, --
The Pedagogue, with Pardonable Joy,
Bestows the Gift upon the Radiant Boy:

"Accept the Noblest Work produced as yet "
(Says he) "upon the English Alphabet;
"Next term I shall examine you, to find
"If you have read it thoroughly. So mind!"

And while the Boys and Parents cheered so loud,
That out of doors a large and anxious crowd
Had gathered and was blocking up the street,
The admirable child resumed his seat.

MORAL

Learn from this justly irritating Youth,
To brush your Hair and Teeth and tell the Truth.

Text Authorship:

  • by (Joseph) Hilaire Belloc (1870 - 1953), appears in A Moral Alphabet, first published 1899 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

  • by Wilfred Josephs (b. 1927), "Twelve Letters: A Moral Alphabet", op. 16 [ speaker and orchestra ] [sung text not yet checked]

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2009-06-13
Line count: 19
Word count: 143

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