Pretty Lessons in Verse for Good Children; with Some Lessons in Latin, in Easy Rhyme. By Sara Coleridge. The Fourth Edition, with Many Cuts |
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THE DECLENSIONS. |
 | Pretty Lessons in Verse |  |
THE DECLENSIONS.
Musa—A Song.
What a pleasant song is learning,
When 'tis played in time and tune!
'Tis of finest sounds a concord
Which my boy must study soon.
When 'tis played in time and tune!
'Tis of finest sounds a concord
Which my boy must study soon.
When to this melodious strain
Herbert shall attune his voice,
Loud and lustily shall chant it,
How his parents will rejoice!
Herbert shall attune his voice,
Loud and lustily shall chant it,
How his parents will rejoice!
105
Dominus—A Lord.
Learning is the noble lordWhom my boy must learn to serve;
Show him zeal and true obedience,
Choicest gifts from him deserve.
Magister—A Master.
Learning is the gracious master,Whom my Herbert must obey:
Peace and plenty shall reward him,
Under that benignant sway.
Regnum—A Kingdom.
Learning is the spacious realmWhich my Herbert may inherit;
If he rules it well and wisely,
Great, indeed, will be his merit.
Nubes—A Cloud.
Though at times with heavy aspectLearning like a cloud may lower;
Soon we view the cloud descending
In a fertilizing shower.
Lapis—A Stone.
Some a rugged stone may call it,Only fit to knock one down;
I a precious jewel deem it,
Fit for any monarch's crown.
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Opus—A Work.
Some esteem it toil and trouble,Which nor profit brings nor pleasure;
I'll engage that it will render
Both in overflowing measure.
Parens—A Parent.
Learning is a loving parent:Be his fond assiduous child;
Never from his happy presence
May my Herbert be exiled!
Though he seem to frown on truants,
Yet his nature, kind and mild,
Courts them to his arms indulgent,
Willing to be reconciled.
Gradus—A Step.
Learning is a step secureTo the bowers of fairy-land;
Through a flowery maze it leads us,
Nature's gifts at our command.
Facies—A Face.
Learning, Herbert, hath the features
Almost of an angel's face;
Contemplate them fixedly,
Learn by heart each speaking grace.
Almost of an angel's face;
Contemplate them fixedly,
Learn by heart each speaking grace.
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Truth and wisdom, high-wrought fancy,
In those lineaments we trace;
Never be your eyes averted
Long from that resplendent face.
In those lineaments we trace;
Never be your eyes averted
Long from that resplendent face.
| Pretty Lessons in Verse | |