Poems (Curwen)/Kill or Cure

by Annie Isabel Curwen

Kill or Cure.

"There's something wrong wis dollie,"
  Wee Mary sadly said,
"I can hear a very funny noise
  Like rattling in her head."

"I know what's wrong," said Emily,
  Don't cry, you little goose,
We must take her to the doctor,
  Her brains are coming loose."

So they took her to Sir William,
  Who is noted for great skill;
And he said, "My dear madam,
  Your child is very ill."

Then he took a little instrument,
  And sounded dollie's head.
"There's something very much amiss
  With dollie's brains," he said;

"But I will do the best I can,"
  And then the doctor smiled,
And added, "It will never do
  To have a loose-brained child."

And so the doll was left with him,
  And Mary was quite sure
That, if Sir William did not kill,
  He would effect a cure.

But when she called again next day,
  She found her dear one dead,
For in trying to get at dollie's brains,
  The doctor broke her head.