The infant moralist

Chapter 4: CHARITABLE LOUISA

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About This Book

A collection of short didactic poems for young readers that depict everyday domestic scenes to illustrate moral lessons. Each verse presents a simple incident—such as animal cruelty, heedless mischief, greed, envy, profanity, or neglect of the elderly—and traces its immediate consequences, often ending with parental correction or reflection. The pieces use plain rhyme and narrative vignettes to teach virtues like charity, politeness, courage, and prudence, emphasizing cause and effect in familiar, child-centered settings.

CHARITABLE LOUISA

Now Goody Brown and Widow Bond

Live in a Cottage near the Pond,

And so, Louisa, you

Must now this little Basket take

And put in it a Loaf, a Cake,

A Pound of Sugar too.

Nay! do not frown, ’tis surely good

That we the Agêd succour should?

Your Shawl and Bonnet don,

See, with you faithful Ponto comes,

Perhaps a liking for the Crumbs

Has urg’d him to go on.

So onward trips the little Maid,

All smiling sweet, and unafraid

Of Gipsies, Tramps and Cows.

Then back she comes, while Goody stands

And raising up her wither’d Hands

Calls down her Prayers and Vows.