Page:Pieces People Ask For.djvu/200

82 HE NEVER TOLD A LIE. him standing in the crowd—
 * A comely youth and fair!

There was a brightness in his eye,
 * A glory in his hair!

I saw his comrades gaze on him—
 * His comrades standing by.

I heard them whisper each to each,
 * "He never told a lie!"

I looked in wonder on that boy,
 * As he stood there so young:

To think that never an untruth
 * Was uttered by his tongue.

I thought of all the boys I'd known,—
 * Myself among the fry,—

And knew of none that one could say,
 * "He never told a lie!"

I gazed upon that youth with awe
 * That did enchain me long:

I had not seen a boy before
 * So perfect and so strong.

And with something of regret
 * I wished that he was I,

So they might look at me and say,
 * "He never told a lie!"

I thought of questions very hard
 * For boys to answer right:

"How did you tear those pantaloons?*
 * "My son! what caused the fight?"

"Who left the gate ajar last night?"
 * "Who bit the pumpkin-pie?"

What boy could answer all of these,
 * And never tell a lie?

I proudly took him by the hand—
 * My words with praise were rife;

I blessed that boy who never told
 * A falsehood in his life;