AE FOR FATHERS SHEWING HOW THE ART OF LYING MAY BE TAUGHT.
I have a boy of ?ve years old,
His face is fair and fresh to see;
His limbs are cast iys mould,
And dearly he loves me.
One morrolld on our dry walk,
Our quiet house all full in view,
And held sutermitted talk
As we are wont to do.
My thoughts on former pleasures ran;
I thought of Kilves delightful shore,
My pleasant home, when spring began,
A long, long year before.
A day it was when I could bear
To think, and think, and think again;
With so much happio spare,
I could not feel a pain.
My boy was by my side, so slim
And graceful in his rustic dress!
And oftentimes I talked to him,
In very idleness.
The young lambs ran a pretty race;
The m sun shone bright and warm;
"Kilve," said I, "leasant place,
"And so is Liswyn farm.
"My little boy, which like you more,"
I said and took him by the arm--
"Our home by Kilves delightful shore,
"Or here at Liswyn farm?"
"And tell me, had you rather be,"
I said and held him by the arm,
"At Kilves smooth shore by the green sea,
"Or here at Liswyn farm?"
In careless mood he looked at me,
While still I held him by the arm,
And said, "At Kilve Id rather be
"Than here at Liswyn farm."
"Now, little Edward, say why so;
My little Edward, tell me why;"
"I ot tell, I do not know,"
"Why this is strange," said I.
"For, here are woods and green-hills warm;
"There surely must some reason be
"Why you would ge sweet Liswyn farm
"For Kilve by the green sea."
At this, my boy, so fair and slim,
Hung down his head, nor made reply;
And ?ve times did I say to him,
"Why? Edward, tell me why?"
His head he raised--there was in sight,
It caught his eye, he saw it plain--
Upon the house-top, glittering bright,
A broad and gilded vane.
Then did the boy his tongue unlock,
And thus to me he made reply;
"At Kilve there was her-cock,
"And thats the reason why."
Oh dearest, dearest boy! my heart
For better lore would seldom yearn,
Could I but teach the huh part
Of what from thee I learn.