Versos English James Whitcomb Riley Kitchen."]

English poem

Kitchen."]

by

Listen in the reader

GRATEFULLY AND AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED TO JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS

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You who to the rounded prime Of a life of toil and stress, Still have kept the morning-time Of glad youth in heart and spirit, So your laugh, as children hear it, Seems their own, no less,-- Take this book of childish rhyme-- The Book of Joyous Children.

Their first happiness on earth Here is echoed--their first glee: Rich, in sooth, the volume's worth-- Not in classic lore, but rich in The child-sagas of the kitchen;-- Therefore, take from me To your heart of childish mirth The Book of Joyous Children.

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