At six, I said, he was a charming child,

At twelve he was a fine, but quiet boy;

Although in infancy a little wild,

They tamed him down amongst them: to destroy

His natural spirit not in vain they toil'd,

At least it seem'd so; and his mother's joy

Was to declare how sage, and still, and steady,

Her young philosopher was grown already.

再说六岁惹人怜
长至十二渐笃然
稚龄虽曾也刁蛮
桀骜百驯今就范
驯骜虽则路唯艰
而今成效似斐然
至少其母常夸赞
先哲焉有我儿贤！