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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120
GOOD TEMPER.
In whatsoever place resides
Good Temper, she o'er all presides;
The most obdurate heart she guides.
Good Temper, she o'er all presides;
The most obdurate heart she guides.
Even Anger yields unto her power,
And sullen Spite forgets to lower,
Or reconcilëd weeps a shower;
And sullen Spite forgets to lower,
Or reconcilëd weeps a shower;
Reserve she softens into Ease,
Makes Fretfulness leave off to tease,
She Waywardness itself can please.
Makes Fretfulness leave off to tease,
She Waywardness itself can please.
Her handmaids they are not a few:
Sincerity that's ever true,
And prompt Obedience always new,
Sincerity that's ever true,
And prompt Obedience always new,
Urbanity that ever smiles,
And Frankness that ne'er useth wiles,
And Friendliness that ne'er beguiles,
And Frankness that ne'er useth wiles,
And Friendliness that ne'er beguiles,
121
And Firmness that is always ready
To make young good-resolves more steady,
The only safeguard of the giddy;
To make young good-resolves more steady,
The only safeguard of the giddy;
And blushing Modesty, and sweet
Humility in fashion neat;
Yet still her train is incomplete,
Humility in fashion neat;
Yet still her train is incomplete,
Unless meek Piety attend
Good Temper as her surest friend,
Abiding with her to the end.
Good Temper as her surest friend,
Abiding with her to the end.
| Poetry for Children | |