OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES
[Sidenote: Wilfrid Maynell]
As high up in a house as a nest
In a tree,
They have gone for the night to their rest,
The Babes three.
One will say, when they wake, with arms crossed,
"Jesus blest!"
One will cry "Mother mine"—and be lost
In that breast.
"Ta-ra-ra," then the littlest maid saith,
Two and gay;
And loud laughs with the last of her breath,
"Boom-de-ay!"
What they say, in their nests, these dear birds,
Is all even:
For their speech, be whatever their words,
Is of Heaven.
THEIR BEST
[Sidenote: Wilfrid Maynell]
She is a very simple maid—
Nicknamed a "tweeny";
The cook's and housemaid's riven aid,
Christ-named Irene.
And when, in lower regions, she
Hears hurled request,
She laughs or cries: "Oh, right you be,
I'll do my best."
Her very best, be very sure!
She holds it fast—
Religion undefiled and pure.
And, at the last,
When Life, from this sad house of her,
Flits like a guest,
She'll curtsy to the Judge: "O Sir,
I did my best."
The Judge, for sure, will bow His head;
And, round the throne,
Angels will know to God they've led
His very own.
This sentence then shall gently fall:
"Irene, you
Have done your best: and that is all
Even God can do."
MAGNIFICENT ENDS
[Sidenote: Disraeli in "Vivian Grey"]