Poem by Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards

Prince Tatters

Little Prince Tatters has lost his cap!
    Over the hedge he threw it;
Into the river it fell Kerslap!
    Stupid old thing, to do it!
Now Mother may sigh and Nurse may fume
For the gay little cap with its eagle plume.
"One cannot be thinking all day of such matters!
Trifles are trifles!" says little Prince Tatters.
 
Little Prince Tatters has lost his coat!
    Playing, he did not need it;
    "Left it right there, by the nanny-goat,
    And nobody never seed it!"
Now Mother and Nurse may search till night
For the new little coat with its buttons bright;
But "Coat sleeves or shirt sleeves, how little it matters!
Trifles are trifles!" says little Prince Tatters.
 
Little Prince Tatters has LOST HIS BALL!
    Rolled away down the street!
Somebody'll have to find it, that's all,
    Before he can sleep or eat.
Now raise the neighborhood quickly, do!
And send for the crier and constable, too!
"Trifles are trifles, but serious matters,
They must be seen to," says little Prince Tatters.

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