Page:Near nature's heart; a volume of verse (IA nearnaturesheart00jack).pdf/81



The favored child was loved indeed By father, mother, city and state— All glad to give the highest meed, The child they've blest both soon and late. Another child did men berate, And now and then they brought to shame; They saw and caused a cruel Fate To damn this child with a felon's name.

The happy child of Fortune's breed For mind and body had fullest plate; Of noble flesh, an elect seed, The child they've blest both soon and late. The chanceless child they chose to hate, To hinder hands that would reclaim— Ah, even moved some magistrate To damn this child with a felon's name.

The well-led boy should take the lead, Have free and ever a high estate— 'Twas rank injustice to impede The child they've blest both soon and late. The wayward child could ne'er be great, And so 'twas meet his mind to flame, And just his doom to accelerate, To damn this child with a felon's name.

Envoy

They all sped him to Heaven's gate, The child they've blest both soon and late. And the godless waif? 'Twas Hell's deep aim, To damn this child with a felon's name.

THE SLANDERER

Of all things vile beneath the sky, By night or day that creep or fly; The spider, bedbug, hated louse; Or close-coiled rattler, gnawing mouse;

The buzzard, skunk, or murderous mink, Hyena mean, whose eye doth blink— Wherever one may rest or wander, The vilest he who breedeth slander.

The rattler warns you—jump or run, Or give him battle with stick or gun! The skunk offends you—let him go; He takes his choice 'twixt friend and foe.