[
  {
    "title": "To a Child of Quality, Five Years Old, 1704. The Author then Forty",
    "author": "Matthew Prior",
    "lines": [
      "LORDS, knights, and squires, the numerous band",
      "   That wear the fair Miss Mary's fetters,",
      "Were summoned by her high command",
      "   To show their passions by their letters.",
      "",
      "My pen amongst the rest I took,",
      "   Lest those bright eyes, that cannot read,",
      "Should dart their kindling fire, and look",
      "   The power they have to be obey'd.",
      "",
      "Nor quality, nor reputation,",
      "   Forbid me yet my flame to tell;",
      "Dear Five-years-old befriends my passion,",
      "   And I may write till she can spell.",
      "",
      "For, while she makes her silkworms beds",
      "   With all the tender things I swear;",
      "Whilst all the house my passion reads,",
      "   In papers round her baby's hair;",
      "",
      "She may receive and own my flame;",
      "   For, though the strictest prudes should know it,",
      "She'll pass for a most virtuous dame,",
      "   And I for an unhappy poet.",
      "",
      "Then too, alas! when she shall tear",
      "   The rhymes some younger rival sends,",
      "She'll give me leave to write, I fear,",
      "   And we shall still continue friends.",
      "",
      "For, as our different ages move,",
      "   'Tis so ordain'd (would Fate but mend it!),",
      "That I shall be past making love",
      "   When she begins to comprehend it."
    ],
    "linecount": "28"
  }
]