Poetry for Children By Charles and Mary Lamb: To which are added Prince Dorus and some uncollected poems by Charles Lamb: Edited, prefaced and annotated by Richard Herne Shepherd |
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WRITTEN IN THE FIRST LEAF OF A CHILD'S MEMORANDUM-BOOK. |
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 | Poetry for Children |  |
59
WRITTEN IN THE FIRST LEAF OF A CHILD'S MEMORANDUM-BOOK.
My neat and pretty book, when I thy small lines seeThey seem for any use to be unfit for me.
My writing, all misshaped, uneven as my mind,
Within this narrow space can hardly be confined.
Yet I will strive to make my hand less awkward look;
I would not willingly disgrace thee, my neat book.
The finest pens I'll use, and wondrous pains I'll take,
And I these perfect lines my monitors will make.
And every day I will set down in order due
How that day wasted is; and should there be a few
At the year's end that show more goodly to the sight,
If haply here I find some days not wasted quite,
If a small portion of them I have passed aright,
Then shall I think the year not wholly was misspent,
And that my Diary has been by some good angel sent.
| Poetry for Children | |