Elmann Creative Corner Great Books

Abbreviations of Titles of Books of The Bible: Song (of the ) 3 Childr/en. Two sisters. Jane and Ann Taylor, were among the first to try to please children as well as improve them. Their book of Original Poems was first published in 1804, and I do not think that nowadays you would find it in any library, but it would be worth your while to hunt for it in the second -hand bookshops. The copy I have, dated 1868

`` The Butterfly, an idle thing. Nor honey makes nor yet can sing. As do the bee and bird, Nor does it, like the prudent ant. Lay up the grain for times of want. A wise and cautions hoard.

`` My youth is but a summer `s day; Then, like the bee and ant. I`ll lay A store of learning by; And though from flower to flower I rove, My stock of wisdom I`ll improve Nor be a butterfly. ``

, shows that these poems were printed again and again. The most famous poem in it, written by Ann, is called `` My Mother ``. It begins: `` Who fed me from her gentle breast. And hushed me on her arms to rest. And on my chech sweet kisses prest? My Mother. `` When sleep forsook my open eye. Who was it sung sweet hushaby. And roched me that I should not cry? My Mother. `` I will miss out some vberses here and quotye you two later ones: `` Who dressed my doll in clothes so gay? And taught me pretty how to play. And minded all I had to say? My Mother. `` Who ran to help me when I fell. And would some pretty story tell Or kiss the place to make it well? My Mother. `` The poem goes on like this for a long time, and then it says: `` And can I ever cease to be Affectionate and kind to thee- Who was so very kind to me. My Mother? `` Ah no! the thought I cannot beat. And if God please my life to spare. I hope I shall reward thy care. My Mother. `` I paid only twopence for this little book, and I think that this one poem, by itself, was worth more than, don`t you? There are dozens and dozens of others-some amusing, some sad and some very priggish, but all very moral. One amusing one is a libel on the duck, who, after all. is a pleasant and amusing bird though. I will admit, a noisy eater. It is called `` The Notorious Glutton `` and it begins: `` A duck who had got such a habit of stuffing. That all the day long she was panting and puffing. And by every creature who did hjer great crop see. Was though to be galloping fast for a dropsy; One day, after eating a plentiful dinner. With full twice as much as there should have been in her. While up to her forehead still greedily roking. Was greatly alarmed by the symptoms of choking. `` I need not quote any more; the poor duck was punished for eating so fast.`