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Poems of Childhood/Inscription for My Little Son's Silver Plate

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New York, C. Scribner's Sons, page 190

INSCRIPTION FOR MY LITTLE SON'S SILVER PLATE

WWHEN thou dost eat from off this plate,
I charge thee be thou temperate;
Unto thine elders at the board
Do thou sweet reverence accord;
And, though to dignity inclined,
Unto the serving-folk be kind;
Be ever mindful of the poor,
Nor turn them hungry from the door;
And unto God, for health and food
And all that in thy life is good,
Give thou thy heart in gratitude.