Nor move my chair or plate about;
With knife or fork or anything,
I must not play; nor must I sing.
I must not speak a useless word,
For children should be seen not heard;
I must not talk about my food,
Nor fret if I don't think it good.
I must not say, "the bread is old,
The tea is hot, the coffee's cold";
I must not cry for this or that,
Nor murmur if my meat is fat.
My mouth with food I must not crowd,
Nor while I'm eating speak aloud;
Must turn my head to cough or sneeze,
And when I ask say, "If you please."
The table-cloth I must not spoil,
Nor with my food my fingers soil;
Must keep my seat when I have done,
Nor round the table sport or run.
When told to rise, then I must put
My chair away with noiseless foot;
And lift my heart to God above,
In praise for all His wondrous love.