Yawcob Strauss and Other Poems/Misplaced Sympathy


 * Little Benny sat one evening,
 * Looking o'er his picture-book:
 * Suddenly his mother noticed
 * On his face a troubled look.


 * He was gazing on a picture, —
 * "Christians in the early days,"
 * When the cruel tyrant Nero
 * Harassed them in various ways.


 * 'Twas a family of Christians,
 * Torn by lions fierce and wild,
 * In the horrible arena,
 * Which had thus distressed the child.


 * Thinking it a golden moment
 * To impress his youthful mind
 * With our freedom, dearly purchased,
 * And by martyrs' blood refined,


 * His good mother told the story
 * Of their persecutions sore,
 * While he listened, all attention,
 * And the picture pondered o'er.


 * "See, my child, those hungry lions,
 * How upon the group they fall!
 * 'Tis a sight, my precious darling,
 * That the bravest might appall."


 * Then, with little lip a-quiver,
 * "Mamma, look!" says little Benny:
 * "Little lion in the corner,
 * Mamma, isn't gettin' any!"