The Chatterbox

  From morning to night 't was Lucy's delight     To chatter and talk without stopping;   There was not a day but she rattled away,     Like water forever a-dropping!   As soon as she rose, while she put on her clothes,     'Twas vain to endeavor to still her;   Nor once did she lack to continue her clack,     Till again she lay down on her pillow.   You'll think now, perhaps, there would have been gaps,     If she hadn't been wonderful clever;   That her sense was so great, and so witty her pate     That it would be forthcoming forever.   But that's quite absurd; for have you not heard,     Much tongue and few brains are connected,   That they are supposed to think least who talk most,     And their wisdom is always suspected?   While Lucy was young, had she bridled her tongue     With a little good sense and exertion,   Who knows but she might have been our delight,     Instead of our jest and aversion? ANN TAYLOR