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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO A CHILD, by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: How shall I sing you, child, for whom Last Line: At least ... A trusty squire. Alternate Author Name(s): Dobson, Austin | |||
HOW shall I sing you, Child, for whom So many lyres are strung; Or how the only tone assume That fits a Maid so young? What rocks there are on either hand! Suppose -- 'tis on the cards -- You should grow up with quite a grand Platonic hate for bards! How shall I then be shamed, undone, For ah! with what a scorn Your eyes must greet that luckless One Who rhymed you, newly born, -- Who o'er your 'helpless cradle' bent, His idle verse to turn; And twanged his tiresome instrument Above your unconcern! Nay, -- let my words be so discreet, That, keeping Chance in view, Whatever after fate you meet A part may still be true. Let others wish you mere good looks, -- Your sex is always fair; Or to be writ in fortune's books, -- She's rich who has to spare: I wish you but a heart that's kind, A head that's sound and clear; (Yet let the heart be not too blind, The head not too severe!) A joy of life, a frank delight; A not-too-large desire; And -- if you fail to find a Knight -- At least ... a trusty Squire. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A GAGE D'AMOUR by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON A GARDEN SONG by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON ARS VICTRIX (IMITATED FROM THEOPHILE GAUTIER) by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON BEFORE SEDAN by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON DORA VERSUS ROSE by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON GROWING GRAY by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW; IN MEMORIAM by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON IN AFTER DAYS; RONDEAU by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON THE BALLAD OF PROSE AND RHYME by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON WHEN THERE IS PEACE by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON |
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