Page:Landon in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book 1836.pdf/28

Rh

truth, I do not wonder To see them scatter’d round; So many leaves of knowledge— Some fruit must sure be found.

The Eton Latin Grammar Has now its verbs declin’d; And those of Lindley Murray Are not so far behind.

Oh! days of bread and water— How many I recall, Past—sent into the corner; Your face towards the wall. Oh! boundaries of Europe! Oh! rivers great and small! Oh! islands, gulfs, and capitals! How I abhorr'd ye all!

And then those dreadful tables Of shillings, pence, and pounds! Though I own their greater trouble In after life abounds.

’Tis strange how memory lingers About those early hours; And we talk of happy childhood, As if such had been ours.

But distance lends enchantment To all we suffer’d then; Thank Heaven, that I never Can be a child again!