 | English Roses |  |
PARENTS AT SCHOOL.
As they please
My petted darlings, who have got the upper hand,
At their ease
Recline on sofas, and make parents humbly stand;
While they toy with bread and butter
Or are trifling with the cake,
And in languid accents utter
Edicts, as if half awake.
For not with my leave or by my leave they masterfully teach,
And then use me (I acknowledge) as a not unwilling tool;
Though I feel, to hear them gravely teach,
O very much at school.
My petted darlings, who have got the upper hand,
At their ease
Recline on sofas, and make parents humbly stand;
While they toy with bread and butter
Or are trifling with the cake,
And in languid accents utter
Edicts, as if half awake.
For not with my leave or by my leave they masterfully teach,
And then use me (I acknowledge) as a not unwilling tool;
Though I feel, to hear them gravely teach,
O very much at school.
As they like
Since we have abdicated now the parents' throne,
They can strike
Or work five minutes at some easy text or tone;
While we know that we are sitting
At their feet in humble style,
On the chance of just the flitting
Of some sweet rebuke or smile.
When I seem to be instructing, I am really learning yet
How to be a docile father and a happy chick-pecked fool;
For they won't allow me to forget
I'm very much at school.
Since we have abdicated now the parents' throne,
They can strike
Or work five minutes at some easy text or tone;
While we know that we are sitting
At their feet in humble style,
On the chance of just the flitting
Of some sweet rebuke or smile.
When I seem to be instructing, I am really learning yet
How to be a docile father and a happy chick-pecked fool;
For they won't allow me to forget
I'm very much at school.
To their will
I love to hearken as a proper pupil would,
And fulfil
The duties patiently which those dear tyrants should;
For if they show capriciousness,
I would not care to miss
The pink and gold deliciousness
Consenting to a kiss.
For I love my little master and I love my mistress well,
If their lessons are not Acland's and their conduct may be cool;
And they keep me, though they cannot spell,
So very much at school.
I love to hearken as a proper pupil would,
242
The duties patiently which those dear tyrants should;
For if they show capriciousness,
I would not care to miss
The pink and gold deliciousness
Consenting to a kiss.
For I love my little master and I love my mistress well,
If their lessons are not Acland's and their conduct may be cool;
And they keep me, though they cannot spell,
So very much at school.
To the end
I feel quite certain I shall ever be their slave,
And not mend
Their manners which might stir my grandsire in his grave;
For my chains are wreathed with roses
Of their blushing cheek and lip,
And my studies are the poses
When their footsteps turn or trip.
At the mouths of babes and sucklings I am taught the bravest code,
Who in penitence take kindly to the stupid dunce's stool,
And delight in my own heart's abode
While very much at school.
I feel quite certain I shall ever be their slave,
And not mend
Their manners which might stir my grandsire in his grave;
For my chains are wreathed with roses
Of their blushing cheek and lip,
And my studies are the poses
When their footsteps turn or trip.
At the mouths of babes and sucklings I am taught the bravest code,
Who in penitence take kindly to the stupid dunce's stool,
And delight in my own heart's abode
While very much at school.
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