The child they’ve blest both soon and late.

And the godless waif? ’Twas Hell’s deep aim,

To damn this child with a felon’s name.


THE SLANDERER

Of all things vile beneath the sky,

By night or day that creep or fly;

The spider, bedbug, hated louse;

Or close-coiled rattler, gnawing mouse;

The buzzard, skunk, or murderous mink,