K, P, and T are called the mutes,
Because they interrupt
All voice or sound; while B and D
Can only intercept;
Hence these are partial mutes, my child;
And H is aspirate;
And th, too, in think and throne,
But vocal in this, that. [{129}]
Then lip-letters, or labials,
And dentals, or tooth letters,
With palatals and sibilants Seem wondrously like fetters.
But, ah! instead of prisoning,
They open wide the way
That leads to Learning's loftiest heights;
Press on, and win the day.
* * * * *
WORDS.
TELL me the name of something, dear;
As book, or ball, or kite;
Now tell some quality of each,
As big, or round, or light.
And now some word that means to be Yes, is, my child, you're right.
The ink is black, The snow is white,
The ice is hard--is cold:
The sky is blue, The air is light,
Sometimes the child is bold. [{130}] And thus let names of everything
Afar or near be told;
And Qualities of each and all
Let memory infold.
* * * * *
NOW give one name, and tell me all
Its qualities as well;
As, coal is black, and coal is hard,
And coal's inflammable.
And now, you children should be taught
That we need not repeat
The name, with every word that tells
Its qualities complete.
Coal's black, hard, and inflammable,
We say; but all so fast,
A comma follows after each,
With and before the last.
And now use iron, chalk, and clay,
Use water, snow, and ice,
Use thread and needle, pin and pen,
Use every word that's nice.--
