Love Songs of Childhood by Eugene Field - HTML preview

INSCRIPTION FOR MY LITTLE SON'S SILVER PLATE

      When 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.