And hath children given:
When the soft heads overbrim
The brown nests; then thank ye Him
In the clouds of heaven.
Also in your lives,
Live His laws who loveth you.
Husbands, be ye kind and true;
Be homekeeping wives.
Love not gossiping;
Stay at home and keep the nest;
Fly not here and there in quest
Of the newest thing.
Live as brethren live;
Love be in each heart and mouth;
Be not envious, be not wroth,
Be not slow to give.
When ye build the nest
Quarrel not o'er straw or wool;
He who hath, be bountiful
To the neediest.
Be not puffed or vain
Of your beauty or your worth,
Of your children or your birth,
Or the praise you gain.
Eat not greedily:
Sometimes, for sweet mercy's sake,
Worm or insect spare to take;
Let it crawl or fly.
See ye sing not near
To our church on holy day,
Lest the human-folk should stray
From their prayer to hear.
Now depart in peace,
In God's name I bless each one;
May your days be long i' the sun
And your joys increase.
And remember me,
Your poor brother Francis, who
Loveth you, and thanketh you
For this courtesy.