To A Proud Parent

Thy babes ne'er greet thee with the father's name; 'My Lud!' they lisp. Now whence can this arise? Perhaps their mother feels an honest shame And will not teach her infant to tell lies.

First published in An. Anth., 1800, included in Essays, &c., ii. 997. First collected P. and D. W., 1877, ii. 164. Adapted from Lessing's Sinngedicht No. 17. An den Doktor Sp * *. 'Dein Söhnchen lässt dich nie den Namen Vater hören.'

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