Public domain
The innocent amusement of children, / Is pleasant and can do no harm, / But the frightening rudeness / Is what deprives youth of pleasure
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Sheet with 4 depictions of children's games: marbles, blind man's bluff, riding a hobby horse, and dressing up as a ghost. Below each image a two-line verse. Numbered top right: No. 169.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionCredit line´T onschuldige vermaak der kindren, / Is aangenaam en kan niet hindren, / Maar 't schrikverwekkend onbescheid / Is 't dat de jeugd vermaak ontzeid. 1806 - 1830. Johan Noman. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
Similar works
The Innocent Amusement of Children Is Pleasant and Can Do No Harm; But the Frightening Rudeness Is That Which Deprives Youth of Amusement.
This print shows you the beginning of man's estate on earth, / When childhood already brings a thousand sorrows. / And parental care must guard its tender strength, / O youth! repay that care through obedience
This print is worth double the money, / Where the Ashpoester of the hearth / And in distress of the household, / Yet was raised to a princess
Children, Follow Your Parents' Advice, Show Obedience, / Flee the Beginning of Evil, Always Learn Diligently, / Then Father Will Gladly Give You a Play Hour, / Then Mother's Care Will Not Be Sour at All
See, youth! how Urban behaves / And laments his lot, Isabella. / But also see him who dared to break faith, / Once again accepted upon his pleading
Children's virtues and vices / See in these little prints speak / That it all shows you at once / Punishment for vice and reward for virtue