Yes, I proclaimed—and never winced or winked—

That "brotherhood of nations!"

"A delegation of young children," Ah!

And they were not the only ones.

"Men are but children of a larger—" Bah!

Wise and strong men are—lonely ones.

Most men—French-men—have touches of the child,

Fondness for show, fine phrases—

Pst! Here my rôle's not cynical, but mild,

And open as dawn-daisies.