THE BROKEN DOLLTHEBROKEN DOLL
THE BROKEN DOLLTHEBROKEN DOLL
THEBROKEN DOLL
XV
Aninfant is a selfish sprite:But what of that? the sweet delightWhich from participation springs,Is quite unknown to these young things.We elder children then will smileAt our dear little John awhile,And bear with him, until he seeThere is a sweet felicityIn pleasing more than only one,Dear little, craving, selfish John.He laughs, and thinks it a fine jokeThat he our new wax doll has broke.Anger will never teach him better:We will the spirit and the letterOf courtesy to him displayBy taking in a friendly wayThese baby frolics; till he learnTrue sport from mischief to discern.Reproof a parent’s province is;A sister’s discipline is this;By studied kindness to effectA little brother’s young respect.What is a doll? a fragile toy.What is its loss? If the dear boy,Who half perceives he’s done amiss,Retain impression of the kissThat follow’d instant on his cheek;If the kind loving words we speakOf “Never mind it:” “We forgive;”If these in his short memory liveOnly perchance for half-a-day—Who minds a doll—if that should layThe first impression in his mindThat sisters are to brothers kind?For thus the broken doll may proveFoundation to fraternal love.
Aninfant is a selfish sprite:But what of that? the sweet delightWhich from participation springs,Is quite unknown to these young things.We elder children then will smileAt our dear little John awhile,And bear with him, until he seeThere is a sweet felicityIn pleasing more than only one,Dear little, craving, selfish John.He laughs, and thinks it a fine jokeThat he our new wax doll has broke.Anger will never teach him better:We will the spirit and the letterOf courtesy to him displayBy taking in a friendly wayThese baby frolics; till he learnTrue sport from mischief to discern.Reproof a parent’s province is;A sister’s discipline is this;By studied kindness to effectA little brother’s young respect.What is a doll? a fragile toy.What is its loss? If the dear boy,Who half perceives he’s done amiss,Retain impression of the kissThat follow’d instant on his cheek;If the kind loving words we speakOf “Never mind it:” “We forgive;”If these in his short memory liveOnly perchance for half-a-day—Who minds a doll—if that should layThe first impression in his mindThat sisters are to brothers kind?For thus the broken doll may proveFoundation to fraternal love.
Aninfant is a selfish sprite:But what of that? the sweet delightWhich from participation springs,Is quite unknown to these young things.We elder children then will smileAt our dear little John awhile,And bear with him, until he seeThere is a sweet felicityIn pleasing more than only one,Dear little, craving, selfish John.
Aninfant is a selfish sprite:
But what of that? the sweet delight
Which from participation springs,
Is quite unknown to these young things.
We elder children then will smile
At our dear little John awhile,
And bear with him, until he see
There is a sweet felicity
In pleasing more than only one,
Dear little, craving, selfish John.
He laughs, and thinks it a fine jokeThat he our new wax doll has broke.Anger will never teach him better:We will the spirit and the letterOf courtesy to him displayBy taking in a friendly wayThese baby frolics; till he learnTrue sport from mischief to discern.
He laughs, and thinks it a fine joke
That he our new wax doll has broke.
Anger will never teach him better:
We will the spirit and the letter
Of courtesy to him display
By taking in a friendly way
These baby frolics; till he learn
True sport from mischief to discern.
Reproof a parent’s province is;A sister’s discipline is this;By studied kindness to effectA little brother’s young respect.What is a doll? a fragile toy.What is its loss? If the dear boy,Who half perceives he’s done amiss,Retain impression of the kissThat follow’d instant on his cheek;If the kind loving words we speakOf “Never mind it:” “We forgive;”If these in his short memory liveOnly perchance for half-a-day—Who minds a doll—if that should layThe first impression in his mindThat sisters are to brothers kind?For thus the broken doll may proveFoundation to fraternal love.
Reproof a parent’s province is;
A sister’s discipline is this;
By studied kindness to effect
A little brother’s young respect.
What is a doll? a fragile toy.
What is its loss? If the dear boy,
Who half perceives he’s done amiss,
Retain impression of the kiss
That follow’d instant on his cheek;
If the kind loving words we speak
Of “Never mind it:” “We forgive;”
If these in his short memory live
Only perchance for half-a-day—
Who minds a doll—if that should lay
The first impression in his mind
That sisters are to brothers kind?
For thus the broken doll may prove
Foundation to fraternal love.
(Illustration)