You who to the rounded prime br Of a life of toil and stress, br Still have kept the morning-time br Of glad youth in heart and spirit, br So your laugh, as children hear it, br Seems their own, no less,-- br Take this book of childish rhyme-- br The Book of Joyous Children. br br Their first happiness on earth br Here is echoed--their first glee: br Rich, in sooth, the volume's worth-- br Not in classic lore, but rich in br The child-sagas of the kitchen;-- br Therefore, take from me br To your heart of childish mirth br The Book of Joyous Children.