A. Dedication

Dedicated to P.P
("Qui connait son sourire a connu le parfait.")

I need no Comments of the Press,
No critic's cursory caress,
No paragraphs my book to bless
  With praise, or ban with curses,
So long as You, for whom I write,
Whose single notice I invite,
Are still sufficiently polite
  To smile upon my verses.

If You should seek for Ruthless Rhymes
(In memory of Western climes),
And, for the sake of olden times,
  Obtain this new edition,
You must not be surprised a bit,
Nor even deem the act unfit,
That I have dedicated it
  To You, without permission.

              P.T.O.

  *  *  *  *  *

Fond parent, you whose children are
  Of tender age (from two to eight),
Pray keep this little volume far
  From reach of such, and relegate
My verses to an upper shelf, --
Where you may study them yourself.

              P.T.O.

Graham, Harry (as "Col. D. Streamer"). Ruthless Rhymes for Heartless Homes. New York: R. H. Russell 1901