Advice to a wife and mother in two parts

by Pye Henry Chavasse

’Tis certainly well to keep them from plums;

But certainly not from sucking their thumbs!

If a babe suck his thumb

’Tis an ease to his gum;

A comfort; a boon; a calmer of grief;

A friend in his need, affording relief;

A solace; a good; a soother of pain;

A composer to sleep; a charm; and a gain;

’Tis handy at once to his sweet mouth to glide;

When done with, drops gently down by his side;