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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DESERT AND DESSERT. |
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 | Pretty Lessons in Verse |  |
39
DESERT AND DESSERT.
“What! spell Dessert with double s?
My dear Mama, you told me once
That I might make my trouble less—
A second s proclaimed me dunce.”
My dear Mama, you told me once
That I might make my trouble less—
A second s proclaimed me dunce.”
“Nay, Henry, what Dessert is this
Of which to sister thus you write?
Pray what Dessert can this have been
Which did your little friends delight?”
Of which to sister thus you write?
Pray what Dessert can this have been
Which did your little friends delight?”
“I mean the walnuts in the shell,
The melon, and the noble pine,
Which were upon the table spread,
With sweetmeats and Madeira wine.”
The melon, and the noble pine,
Which were upon the table spread,
With sweetmeats and Madeira wine.”
“But when you praised the high deserts
Of one who truly praise deserves,
You surely meant good words and deeds,
Not fruits and wine and rich conserves.
Of one who truly praise deserves,
You surely meant good words and deeds,
Not fruits and wine and rich conserves.
40
“Kind acts a sweeter odour yield
Than melon ripe or fragrant pine;
And pleasant speech the heart can cheer
More than Madeira's sparkling wine.
Than melon ripe or fragrant pine;
And pleasant speech the heart can cheer
More than Madeira's sparkling wine.
“Some words that are alike in sound
By scholars are not spelt the same;
Both eyes and ears my child must use
If he would gain a scholar's name.”
By scholars are not spelt the same;
Both eyes and ears my child must use
If he would gain a scholar's name.”
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