A Digression for Children how they ought to be Instructed

By Richard Weste

R	ightly conceive me, and observe me well,
I	do what here is done for children’s good.
C	hrist in His Gospel (as St. Mark doth tell)
H	ath not forbidden children, nor withstood
A	ny that should but ask the ready way,
R	egarding children, not to say them nay,
D	irecting all that came, how faith should be.
W	hat they should crave of God’s high majesty,
E	ven salvation, through their faithful prayer,
S	ending their contemplations into the air,
T	o His high throne, whose love so guide us all,
E	ven to the end we never cease to call.

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Children (draw near), attend what I say:

Observe well these precepts and mark them, I pray.

Though many rules formerly have been set out,

To quicken the spirits of children in doubt,

Yet youth is so fickle and loth to be taught,

That being observed, ’tis unseemly and naught.

For children’s instructions in virtue and good,

Four things must be noted and many withstood.

The first to be marked is so that the mind

Be seasoned with virtue and godly inclined.

The second, to aim at the liberal arts,

To practice and exercise scholar-like parts.

The third, to be taught as times do require,

All moderate actions this age doth desire.

The fourth, that coming to more years and strength,

That all to civility he bend at the length.

Observe well the rules which now shall ensue,

And find them right wholesome, delightful and new.

When moderate sleep thy head hath possessed,

And given thy body his natural rest,

Shake sluggishness off, bethink thee of things,

That for thy soul’s health sweet melody brings.

Seven hours for a child is temperate and good,

If more, it offendeth and hurteth the blood.

With heart then unfained, to God first of all

Frame well thy petition, and thus to him call.

[Morning Prayer much as in Seager, p. 142.]