FOR CHILDREN. 247

Her neatly-bordered cap, as 1a fek:,

Beneath her chin was pinned, with decent care,
And pendent ruffies of the whitest lawn,

Of ancient make, her elbows did adorn.

Faint with old age, and dim were grown her eyes,
A pair of spectacles their want supplies ;

These dets she guard secure in leathern case
From thoughtless wights in some unweeted! place,
Here first I entered, though with toil and pain,
The lowly vestibule* of learning’s fane ;3

Entered with pain, yet soon I found the way,
Though sometimes toilsome, many a sweet display.

Much did I grieve, on that ill-fated morn,

When I was first to school reluctant borne ;

Severe I thought the dame, though oft she tried

To soothe my swelling spirits when I sighed ;

And oft, when harshly she reproved, I wept,

To my lone corner, broken-hearted, crept,

And thought of tender home, where anger never

kept.

But soon, enured to alphabetic toils,—

Alert I met the dame with jocund smiles ;

First at the form, my task for ever true,

A little favourite rapidly I grew:

And oft she stroked my head with fond delight,

Held me a pattern to the dunce’s sight ;—

And as she gave my diligence its praise,

Talked of the honours of my future days.
Kirke White.

1 Unweeted—unknown.
* Vestibule—porch, entrance. 3 Fane—temple.