An infant is a selfish sprite; <br />But what of that? the sweet delight <br />Which from participation springs, <br />Is quite unknown to these young things. <br />We elder children then will smile <br />At our dear little John awhile, <br />And bear with him, until he see <br />There is a sweet felicity <br />In pleasing more than only one <br />Dear little craving selfish John. <br /> <br /> <br />He laughs, and thinks it a fine joke, <br />That he our new wax doll has broke. <br />Anger will never teach him better; <br />We will the spirit and the letter <br />Of courtesy to him display <br />By taking in a friendly way <br />These baby frolics; till he learn <br />True sport from mischief to discern. <br /> <br /> <br />Reproof a parent's province is: <br />A sister's discipline is this; <br />By studied kindness to effect <br />A little brother's young respect. <br />What is a doll? a fragile toy. <br />What is its loss? if the dear boy, <br />Who half perceives he's done amiss, <br />Retain impression of the kiss <br />That followed instant on his cheek; <br />If the kind, loving words we speak <br />Of 'Never mind it,' 'We forgive,'- <br />If these in his short memory live <br />Only, perchance, for half a day- <br />Who minds a doll-if that should lay <br />The first impression in his mind <br />That sisters are to brothers kind? <br />For thus the broken doll may prove <br />Foundation to fraternal love.<br /><br />Charles Lamb<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-broken-doll-3/
