CAST the world's vast crowd among, Ugly, sickly, weak and small, Stifled 'mid the bustling throng, Since I was not hale or tall, Rose a cry of suffering From my heart with grief o'er-run; Then the good God answered--'Sing! Sing, poor little one!' By the chariots of the great Splashed, as dash they through the street, Scorn of men of vast estate, Insolence oft doomed to meet. Contumelious raillery, Sneers, contempt, are hard to shun; But the good God tells me--'Sing! Sing, poor little one!' Aye! in doubt what may befall, Often for my life affright, 'Neath the irksome chain I crawl. Of employment mean and slight. Greatest joy would freedom bring, Thence could ample meals be spun; But the good God tells me--'Sing! Sing, poor little one.' Love in my distressful plight Deigned compassionate my lot, But with youth it takes to flight, And with age it lingers not. Beauty vainly worshipping, Fruit, on heart-ache, follows none; But the good God tells me--'Sing! Sing, poor little one.' Singing then, or I mistake, Is my business here below; Those whom thus I merry make Will they not their love bestow? When kind friends around me cling, When the wine brings jest and fun, 'Tis the good God tells me--'Sing! Sing, poor little one.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HILL-SIDE TREE by MAXWELL BODENHEIM EXILED by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY CURFEW MUST NOT RING TONIGHT by ROSE HARTWICK THORPE BURNING STRAWPILES by EVA K. ANGLESBURG AFTER THE PLAY by HAMILTON FISH ARMSTRONG SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 37. NAPOLEON AT ST. HELENA by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |