Charity

Came two young children to their mother’s shelf
(One was quite little, and the other big),
And each in freedom calmly helped himself.
(One was a pig.)

The food was free and plenty for them both,
But one was rather dull and very small;
So the big smarter brother, nothing loath,
He took it all.

At which the little fellow raised a yell
Which tired the other’s more æsthetic ears;
He gave him here a crust, and there a shell
To stop his tears.

He gave with pride, in manner calm and bland,
Finding the other’s hunger a delight;
He gave with piety—his full left hand
Hid from his right.

He gave and gave—O blessed Charity!
How sweet and beautiful a thing it is!
How fine to see that big boy giving free
What is not his!