Classic Poem

Though conscience void of all offence
Is man's divinest praise,
A godly heart-felt innocence,
Which does at first by grace commence,
By supplication stays.

Yet I do love my brother's laud,
In each attempt to please;
O may he frequently applaud,
" Good child, thou soon shalt go abroad,
Or have such things as these:

" This silver coined by sweet Queen Anne,
This nosegay, and these toys,
Thou this gilt Testament shalt scan,
This pictured hymnbook on a plan
To make good girls and boys."

O may they give before I ask,
Suggest before desire,
While in the summer-house I bask,
The little labourer at his task
Is worthy of his hire.

Tho' conscience void of all offence,
Is man's divinest praise,
A godly heart-felt innocence,
Which does at first by grace commence,
By supplication stays:

Yet I do love my brother's laud,
In each attempt to please;
O may he frequently applaud,
" Good child, thou soon shalt go abroad,
" Or have such things as these. —

" This silver coin'd by sweet queen Anne,
" This nosegay and these toys,
" Thou this gilt Testament shalt scan,
" This pictur'd Hymn-book on a plan,
" To make good girls and boys."

O may they give before I ask,
Suggest before desire,
While in the summer-house I bask,
The little lab'rer at his task
Is worthy of his hire.