national poetry month, day 17.

Traditional rhymes about book ownership, from I Saw Esau, illustrated by Maurice Sendak.

Book Protection

                       109

Steal not this book for fear of shame,

For in it is the owner's name;

And if this book you chance to borrow,

Return it promptly on the morrow.

Or when you die the Lord will say,

Where's that book you stole away?

And if you say you do not know,

The Lord will answer, Go below!

                       110

If this book should chance to roam--

Box its ears and send it home.

                        111

Do not steal this book, my lad,

     For lots of money it cost my dad;

And if he finds you, he will say,

     "Go to Boston jail today!"

                       112

This book is one thing,

My fist is another;

Steal not the one

For fear of the other.

                       113

Who folds a leaf down,

The devil toast brown;

Who makes mark or blot,

The devil toast hot;

Who steals this book

The devil shall cook.