FROM THE VAULT – POETRY SPOT

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From Bytes, Thursday, May 7, 2015

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Remember this from school?

MATILDA

who told such dreadful lies.

by

Hillaire Belloc

Matilda told such Dreadful Lies,

It made one Gasp and Stretch one’s Eyes;

Her Aunt, who, from her Earliest Youth,

Had kept a Strict Regard for Truth,

Attempted to believe Matilda:

The effort very nearly killed her,

And would have done so, had not she

Discovered this Infirmity.

For once, towards the Close of Day,

Matilda, growing tired of play,

And finding she was left to alone,

Went tiptoe to the telephone

And summoned the Immediate Aid

Of London’s Nobel Fire-Brigade.

Within an hour the Gallant Band

Were pouring in on every hand,

From Putney, Hackney Downs and Bow,

With Courage high and Hearts a-glow

They galloped, roaring though the Town,

"Matilda’s House is Burning Down"

Inspired by British Cheers and Loud

Proceeding from the Frenzied Crowd,

They ran their ladders through a score

Of windows on the Ball Room Floor;

And took Peculiar Pains to Souse

The Pictures up and down the House,

Until Matilda’s Aunt succeeded

In showing them they were not needed

And even then she had to pay

To get the Men to go away! . . . . .

It happened that a few Weeks later

Here aunt was off to the Theatre

To see that Interesting Play

The Second Mrs. Tanqueray.

She had refused to take her Niece

To hear this Entertaining Piece:

A Deprivation Just and Wise

To Punish her for Telling Lies.

That Night a Fire did break out-

You should have heard Matilda Shout!

You should have heard her Scream and Bawl,

And throw the window up and call

To People passing in the Street-

(The rapidly increasing Heat

Encouraging her to obtain

Their confidence)-but it was all in vain!

For every time She shouted "Fire!"

They only answered "Little Liar!"

And therefore when her Aunt returned,

Matilda, and the House, were burned`

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Comment:

This humorous poem satirises the dangers of lying and the consequences of crying wolf. The exaggerated descriptions of Matilda's lies and the fire brigade's over-the-top response create a comedic effect.

Compared to other works by Belloc, this poem is more lighthearted and playful. It also reflects the author's interest in the absurdities of human behavior.

For the time period, the poem is a reflection of the Victorian era's strict moral code and the importance placed on honesty. It warns against the dangers of deceit and encourages readers to be truthful. (hide)

https://allpoetry.com/Matilda-Who-told-Lies,-and-was-Burned-to-Death