Public domain
The sweetest of your life in (oh, consider youth well,) / Nothing but fleeting joy, and vain child's play. / Yet the slightest care attaches to those pleasures; / Seek through reason and virtue early great things
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Leaf with 16 depictions of children's games, such as hoop rolling, playing with dolls, and blowing bubbles. Below each image a four-line verse. Numbered top right: No. 49.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionCredit lineHet zoetst uws levens in (ô jeugd beschouw 't maar wel,) / Niets dan een losse vreugd, en ydel kinderspel. / De minste zorg nochthans hecht zich aan die vermaaken; / Zoek door verstand en deugd vroegt. 1715 - 1813. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
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You children who view this work, remember that God commands this
See, youth! the diligent farmer, not hesitating in his duties / Performing his work, in each season of the year, with diligence, / While the fisherman fishes, the hunter goes hunting, / And also the winter joy is enjoyed by others.
Look, Boys! at this Print, if it please you, and see therein what happened in the War on Land and Sea.
Each does what he pleases in shaping his taste, / One practices in work, and the other in pleasure.
Pefroen, who, forced by blood and a box list, / More than an innocent boy, / Finally corrected the wicked wife; / With heavy blows upon her body
The Sweetest of Your Life in (Oh, Youth, Consider It Well,) / Is Nothing But Fleeting Joy and Vain Child's Play. / Yet the Least Care Clings to These Pleasures; / Seek Through Reason and Virtue Early Great Deeds