English poem
SONGS for CHILDREN, SONG XXX
by Anonymous
In infancy what joys appear, To children only known; For still with each succeeding year, Fresh pleasures are their own.
Papa, Mamma, all joyful view, Those pleasures still improve; And all your friends shall give you too Some token of their love.
Alas, that roses such as these, Should ever fade away; But infancy which thus can please, My dear must soon decay.
The little lambs that frisking so, All playful you behold; Ere long, if they're alive, must go All gravely to the fold.
They must grow old, if life is spar'd, So too must you and I; The present moment then regard, Nor for the future sigh.
In infancy may you my dear, Your pleasures ever find; Pleasures, that void of harm or fear, Can leave no care behind.