The Seven Ages of Childhood, Pictures by Jessie Willcox Smith

  Jessie Willcox Smith (September 6, 1863 – May 3, 1935) was an American illustrator during the Golden Age of American illustration. 

 

First the Infant in Its Mother's Arms

 

 

Then the Toddling Baby Boy -With shining morning face, Creeping like a snail.

Then the Epicure, With fine and greedy taste for porridge

Then the Lover, sighing like the furnace

 

Then the Scholar, with eyes severe and hair of formal cut

The Sixth Shifts

To lean and slender maidenhood,

With thoughtful eyes and quiet mien

Last scene of all that ends

This strange eventful history -

Is first Lore and mere enchantment -

Sans Mother, Sans Father, Sans Brother, Sans Everything

Endpapers