Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1836/The Young Destructive

by Letitia Elizabeth Landon

27

THE YOUNG DESTRUCTIVE.

Artist: C. Wrankmore - Engraved by: W. C. Wrankmore

THE YOUNG DESTRUCTIVE.

In truth, I do not wonder
    To see them scatter’d round;
So many leaves of knowledge—
    Some fruit must sure be found.

The Eton Latin Grammar
    Has now its verbs declin’d;
And those of Lindley Murray
    Are not so far behind.

Oh! days of bread and water—
    How many I recall,
Past—sent into the corner;
    Your face towards the wall.

Oh! boundaries of Europe!
    Oh! rivers great and small!
Oh! islands, gulfs, and capitals!
    How I abhorr'd ye all!

And then those dreadful tables
    Of shillings, pence, and pounds!
Though I own their greater trouble
    In after life abounds.

’Tis strange how memory lingers
    About those early hours;
And we talk of happy childhood,
    As if such had been ours.

But distance lends enchantment
    To all we suffer’d then;
Thank Heaven, that I never
    Can be a child again!