THE JUDGE

 SAY of him what you please, but I know my child's failings.

 

I do not love him because he is good, but because he is my little child.

 

How should you know how dear he can be when you try to weigh his merits¹ against his faults?

 

When I must punish him he becomes all the more a part of my being.

 

When I cause his tears to come my heart weeps with him.

 

I alone have a right to blame and punish, for he only may chastise² who loves.

1 merits   

[宗教]（行善得到的）功德( merit的名词复数 )； 功勋； 长处； 荣誉

参考例句：

• the merits and demerits of the scheme 这个方案的优缺点
• the relative merits of the two plans 相比较之下两个计划各自的优点

2 chastise   

vt.责骂，严惩

参考例句：

• My father used to chastise my brothers with whips.父亲过去常以鞭打惩罚我的兄弟。
• Should I applaud my husband or chastise him?我是该称赞还是责罚我的丈夫呢？