Repaid with pains for contemplating thee

Unwisely out of season. With the rest

We knelt at Mass, not yet disperst and blest,

Waiting the imminent "Ite missa est."

And I, who turned a little from the pure

Pursuit of mine intention to make sure

My child knelt undistracted and demure,

Did fall into that sin. And ere the close

Of the grave Canon's "Benedicat vos ..."

Had scanned her hair and said, "How thick it grows