A Nice Child single work   poetry   "Give me a Child that is yielding though shy,"
Is part of Morsels from Charles Harpur's 'Wild Bee of Australia' Charles Harpur , 1849 series - author poetry
  • Author:agent Charles Harpur http://www.poetrylibrary.edu.au/poets/harpur-charles
Issue Details: First known date: 1849... 1849 A Nice Child
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Notes

  • Author's note: "I bless God," says the charmingly maternal Mary Howitt, "that he has so stored the world with flowers and little children." And may God bless her (and he will) for the saying, which is as sweet as her own heart. "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid then not," said the divine Jesus, "for of such is the kingdom of Heaven." And I can verily believe it. For myself, I have had more than enough of men, and almost enough even of women; but with a little boy or girl at my side or in my arms, the world still for the time, seems fresh and loveable; life has yet a laughing spirit of gladness, and a green spot upon its rough road side; and even full-grown, fate-hackneyed human nature (even my own) as it then appears to me, has gathered something back into itself of the 'original brightness' and transparency of the angel. Yet there is often, upon reflexion, a touch of ominous sadness in the very joy that little children give me : for a few years hence, and they will have to drive the hard bargain of the world amongst needy and grasping men and women - even such perhaps, as I myself am in daily competition with, and who are as constantly stinging or shaming me into a state of feeling with regard to them, which were indeed, but for this child-lovingness, very like misanthropy.

    The touch in the text about the double-lobed button, may appear at first sight a 'simile unlike,' as Pope has it, But let the reader recur to it for a moment, and try to bethink him of anything more thoroughly resemblant to a healthy child's mouth, when held up and put into right kissing order, that a full red button grooved horizontally across the centre. I, at least, cannot fancy anything more so.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

  • Appears in:
    y separately published work icon The People's Advocate and New South Wales Vindicator 8 December 1849 Z628542 1849 newspaper issue 1849 pg. 9
    Note: Part of series: Morsels from Charles Harpur's 'Wild Bee of Australia'
  • Appears in:
    y separately published work icon The Poetical Works of Charles Harpur Charles Harpur , Elizabeth Perkins (editor), Sydney : Angus and Robertson , 1984 Z459555 1984 selected work poetry satire 'This collection represents one version of almost every poem written by Charles Harpur, with the omission of some translations and paraphrases. The verse drama, "Stalwart the Bushranger", and the fragments of the dramatic poem "King Saul" are not included. ... The collection is edited from Harpur's manuscript poems held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney, and from printed copies in colonial newspapers when no manuscript version existed.' (Preface) Sydney : Angus and Robertson , 1984 pg. 565-566
    Note: Author's note does not appear in this source.
Last amended 12 Dec 2012 08:14:35
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