| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
| |
| Matthew Prior. 1664–1721 |
| |
427. A Letter
to Lady Margaret Cavendish Holles-Harley, when a Child |
| |
| MY noble, lovely, little Peggy, | |
| Let this my First Epistle beg ye, | |
| At dawn of morn, and close of even, | |
| To lift your heart and hands to Heaven. | |
| In double duty say your prayer: | 5 |
| Our Father first, then Notre Père. | |
| |
| And, dearest child, along the day, | |
| In every thing you do and say, | |
| Obey and please my lord and lady, | |
| So God shall love and angels aid ye. | 10 |
| |
| If to these precepts you attend, | |
| No second letter need I send, | |
| And so I rest your constant friend. | |
|
|
