Wrath of children is soon overgone;
With the parts of an apple they be made at one.[[81]]
In children war is now mirth and now debate;
In their quarrel is no great violence;
Now play, now weeping, and seldom in one estate,
To their complaints give never any credénce.
A rod reformeth all their negligence.
In their courage[[82]] no rancour doth abide.
Who that spareth the rod all virtues sets aside.
Ah, little ballad, void of eloquence,[[83]]