Social Commentaries

Hildebrand, Who was frightened by a Passing Motor, and was brought to Reason

by Hilaire Belloc 1870–1953

From Cautionary Tales for Children (1907)

Social Commentaries

"Oh, Murder! What was that, Papa!"
"My child,
It was a Motor-Car,
A Most Ingenious Toy!

Designed to Captivate and Charm
Much rather than to rouse Alarm
In any English Boy.

"What would your Great Grandfather who
Was Aide-de-Camp to General Brue,
And lost a leg at Waterloo,
And
Quatre-Bras and Ligny too!
And died at Trafalgar!--
What would he have remarked to hear
His Young Descendant shriek with fear,
Because he happened to be near
A Harmless Motor-Car!
But do not fret about it! Come!
We'll off to Town
And purchase some!"

MLA

Belloc, Hilaire. “Hildebrand, Who was frightened by a Passing Motor, and was brought to Reason.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/belloc/82/.

Chicago

Belloc, Hilaire. “Hildebrand, Who was frightened by a Passing Motor, and was brought to Reason.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/belloc/82/.

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