Poetry for children

Chapter 33: ENVY

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About This Book

This collection assembles short, simple poems and dialogues written for young readers, many by Mary with contributions from Charles, presenting playful scenes of childhood, sibling banter, moral fables, religious reflections, and observations of nature and daily life. Pieces range from light verse about losing baby teeth, toys, and first sights of green fields to didactic fables and tender portraits of family affection, occasionally adapting biblical or anecdotal material. Language is plain and rhythmic, with occasional ballads and moral lessons aimed at cultivating kindness, cleanliness, courage, and sympathy while celebrating imagination and domestic intimacy.

ENVY

XXXI

This rose-tree is not made to bear

The violet blue, nor lily fair,

Nor the sweet mignonette;

And if this tree were discontent

Or wish’d to change its natural bent,

It all in vain would fret.

And should it fret, you would suppose

It ne’er had seen its own red rose,

Nor after gentle shower

Had ever smell’d its rose’s scent,

Or it could ne’er be discontent

With its own pretty flower.

Like such a blind and senseless tree

As I’ve imagined this to be,

All envious persons are:

With care and culture all may find

Some pretty flower in their own mind,

Some talent that is rare.