The Dance of Life A Poem, by the author of "Doctor Syntax;%" [i.e. William Combe] Illustrated with coloured engravings, by Thomas Rowlandson |
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| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
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| VII. |
| VIII. |
 | CHAPTER II. CHILDHOOD. The Dance of Life |  |
The sole degree of her regard
Was more or less of the reward
From Learning's trees—for such the name
Which had been given, by the Dame,
To those that in her garden grew:
The cherry red, the plumb so blue,
The various apple and the pear
Were duly seen to flourish there;
And branchy bushes did expand
Their fruitage ready to the hand:
From every loaded, bending bough
Fair Knowledge might be said to flow.
There, at the close of Summer day,
Learning receiv'd its constant pay;
While Winter shew'd to eager eyes
The hoarded pippin for a prize,
And the slic'd pudding was decreed
For well-done toil the sugar'd meed.
Thus in the School-Dame's humble hall
Justice dispens'd their claims to all.
—When Joy danc'd through the vacant hours,
And carroll'd gay bedeck'd with flowers,
She would attend their sports to see,
And guide the harmless revelry;
While she unbent in wishes kind
The warm affections of her mind:—
“O may you, when I'm turn'd to clay,
“Be happy as you are to day!
“I sigh,—but still, Heaven grant you may!”
Was more or less of the reward
From Learning's trees—for such the name
Which had been given, by the Dame,
To those that in her garden grew:
The cherry red, the plumb so blue,
The various apple and the pear
Were duly seen to flourish there;
69
Their fruitage ready to the hand:
From every loaded, bending bough
Fair Knowledge might be said to flow.
There, at the close of Summer day,
Learning receiv'd its constant pay;
While Winter shew'd to eager eyes
The hoarded pippin for a prize,
And the slic'd pudding was decreed
For well-done toil the sugar'd meed.
Thus in the School-Dame's humble hall
Justice dispens'd their claims to all.
—When Joy danc'd through the vacant hours,
And carroll'd gay bedeck'd with flowers,
She would attend their sports to see,
And guide the harmless revelry;
While she unbent in wishes kind
The warm affections of her mind:—
“O may you, when I'm turn'd to clay,
“Be happy as you are to day!
“I sigh,—but still, Heaven grant you may!”
| CHAPTER II. CHILDHOOD. The Dance of Life | |