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Literary
January 23, 1834
Herald Of The Times
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
A poem depicting a festive children's ball where the speaker observes vanity, envy, and pride among the young participants, lamenting the premature introduction of worldly vices. It advises parents to preserve childhood innocence to ensure a fruitful future.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
[From an English Magazine.]
THE CHILDRENS BALL.
Brilliant and gay was the lighted hall,
'Twas the night of an infant festival,
There were sylph-like forms in the mazy dance,
And there were the tutored step and glance,
And the gay attire, and the hopes and fears
That might well bespeak maturer years;
The sight might to common eyes seem glad,
But I own that it made my spirits sad.
I saw not in all that festive scene,
The cloudless brow, and the careless mien,
But Vanity sought the stranger's gaze,
And Envy shrunk from another's praise,
And Pride repelled with disdainful eyes,
The once loved playmate of days gone by.
Alas! that feeling so far from mild,
Should find place in the breast of a little child!
And how, thought I, at the morrow's rise,
Will these fair young sleepers ope their eyes,
Will their smiles the freshness of morning speak,
And the roses of health suffuse their cheek?
No-with a wearied mind and look,
They will turn from the pencil, the globe & book,
A longing and feverish glance to cast
On the joys and the pains of the evening past.
Parents! 'tis all too soon to press
The glittering fetters of worldliness
On those tender years, to which belong
The merry sport, and the bird-like song:
What fruit can the trees of autumn bring.
If the fragile blossoms be nipt in spring!
Such stores will the summer of life impart,
If ye spoil the bloom of the infant heart!
THE CHILDRENS BALL.
Brilliant and gay was the lighted hall,
'Twas the night of an infant festival,
There were sylph-like forms in the mazy dance,
And there were the tutored step and glance,
And the gay attire, and the hopes and fears
That might well bespeak maturer years;
The sight might to common eyes seem glad,
But I own that it made my spirits sad.
I saw not in all that festive scene,
The cloudless brow, and the careless mien,
But Vanity sought the stranger's gaze,
And Envy shrunk from another's praise,
And Pride repelled with disdainful eyes,
The once loved playmate of days gone by.
Alas! that feeling so far from mild,
Should find place in the breast of a little child!
And how, thought I, at the morrow's rise,
Will these fair young sleepers ope their eyes,
Will their smiles the freshness of morning speak,
And the roses of health suffuse their cheek?
No-with a wearied mind and look,
They will turn from the pencil, the globe & book,
A longing and feverish glance to cast
On the joys and the pains of the evening past.
Parents! 'tis all too soon to press
The glittering fetters of worldliness
On those tender years, to which belong
The merry sport, and the bird-like song:
What fruit can the trees of autumn bring.
If the fragile blossoms be nipt in spring!
Such stores will the summer of life impart,
If ye spoil the bloom of the infant heart!
What sub-type of article is it?
Poem
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Childrens Ball
Childhood Innocence
Vanity Envy Pride
Parental Warning
Moral Reflection
Literary Details
Title
The Childrens Ball.
Key Lines
Alas! That Feeling So Far From Mild,
Should Find Place In The Breast Of A Little Child!
Parents! 'Tis All Too Soon To Press
The Glittering Fetters Of Worldliness
On Those Tender Years, To Which Belong
The Merry Sport, And The Bird Like Song:
What Fruit Can The Trees Of Autumn Bring.
If The Fragile Blossoms Be Nipt In Spring!
Such Stores Will The Summer Of Life Impart,
If Ye Spoil The Bloom Of The Infant Heart!