MID-DAY AT TRINITY

The pigeons perch on Trinity,

From cowls of saints they croon;

In pious patience preen their wings

Till Trinity strikes noon.

They make their vows to visions fair,

The maids with mid-day smiles;

They wait their own communion sweet—

The crumbs along the aisles.

And presently from Wall Street strolls

A princess past a gate;

She pries apart a paper box

As if she scarce could wait.

She sinks upon an old settee,

Her luncheon in her lap;

And other maidens follow her—

A score or more, mayhap.

The pigeons peer from pinnacles,

They see their tables spread;

The sugar and the spices strewn,

The crusts of creamy bread.

The saints upon the walls maintain

Their attitudes benign;

But conquered by confusing quests,

The doves drift down to dine.