SERENITY.
A singular accident happened to-day,
Distressing to witness (I chanced to be there).
A motor-'bus entered a tea-shop, and lay
In some need of repair.
It was loaded with passengers, outside and in,
Who straightway indulged in much turbulent talk;
The latter declared that for less than a pin
They would get out and walk.
But the customers who, with deplorable zest,
Of tea and hot crumpets were taking their fill,
Regarding the scene as an innocent jest,
Simply laughed themselves ill.
Though I'm dreadfully nervous and suffer a shock
At the slightest alarm, through that terrible fuss
I was strangely composed and, as still as a rock,—
I lay under the 'bus.