Matilda

Who told Lies, and was Burned to Death.

Matilda told such Dreadful Lies,It made one Gasp and Stretch one’s Eyes;Her Aunt, who, from her Earliest Youth,Had kept a Strict Regard for Truth,

Attempted to Believe Matilda:The effort very nearly killed her,And would have done so, had not SheDiscovered this Infirmity.For once, towards the Close of Day,Matilda, growing tired of play,And finding she was left alone,Went tiptoe

tothe TelephoneAnd summoned the Immediate AidOf London’s Noble Fire-Brigade.Within an hour the Gallant BandWere pouring in on every hand,From Putney, Hackney Downs, and BowWith Courage high and Hearts a-glowThey galloped, roaring through the Town,

“Matilda’s House is Burning Down!”Inspired by British Cheers and LoudProceeding from the Frenzied Crowd,They ran their ladders through a scoreOf windows on the Ball Room Floor;And took Peculiar Pains to SouseThe Pictures up and down the House,

Until Matilda’s Aunt succeededIn showing them they were not neededAnd even then she had to payTo get the Men to go away!• • • • •It happened that a few Weeks laterHer Aunt was off to the TheatreTo see that Interesting Play

The Second Mrs. Tanqueray.

She had refused to take her NieceTo hear this Entertaining Piece:A Deprivation Just and WiseTo Punish her for Telling Lies.That Night a Fire did break out—You should have heard Matilda Shout!You should have heard her Scream and Bawl,

And throw the window up and callTo People passing in the Street—(The rapidly increasing HeatEncouraging her to obtainTheir confidence)—but all in vain!For every time She shouted “Fire!”

They only answered “Little Liar!”And therefore when her Aunt returned,Matilda, and the House, were Burned.