Inscriptions
For a Child’s Plate
My Child, when from this Plate you Eat,
Give Thanks to God, who Sends your Meat.
Beware you Show no Haste nor Greed,
To those who Serve pay Gentle Heed,
Spare out some Bread to Feed the Poor,
And you shall Never Want, be Sure.
For His Cup
When drinking, Child, from out this Cup
To Ease your thirsty Pain,
Think how the Earth to God looks up
And Thanks Him for the Rain.
For His Chair
When in this Chair you Rest, my Child,
Let all your Thoughts be Kind and Mild,
Your Face and Hands quite Neat:
Rise up until your Elders sit,
Seek not to Show a Saucy Wit,
Nor all you Hear Repeat.
For His Bed
Go not to Sleep in this White Bed,
My Child, before your Prayers are Said.
Give Thanks to God for all your Joys,
For Mother, Home, and Friends and Toys.
Ask Pardon for the Sins you’ve Done,
Then Shut your Eyes until the Sun:
Your Dream shall be a happy one.