 | Verse and prose by Eugene Field : from the George H. Yenowine collection of books and manuscripts |  |
THE HUMANE LAD
Why should a naughty, froward boy
The harmless little fly assail?
Or why his precious time employ
At pulling honest Rover's tail?
The harmless little fly assail?
Or why his precious time employ
At pulling honest Rover's tail?
Where e'er I go, each living thing
Has its predestined place to fill,
And naught that moves on foot or wing
Was made for boys to vex or kill.
Has its predestined place to fill,
And naught that moves on foot or wing
Was made for boys to vex or kill.
The little fly, howe'er so frail,
Was made on Rover's hide to prey,
And faithful Rover's honest tail
Was made to brush the fly away.
Was made on Rover's hide to prey,
And faithful Rover's honest tail
Was made to brush the fly away.
43
So let each bird and beast enjoy
The vain, brief life which God has giv'n,
Whilst I my youthful hours employ
In works that fit the soul for heav'n,
The vain, brief life which God has giv'n,
Whilst I my youthful hours employ
In works that fit the soul for heav'n,
1886.
| Verse and prose by Eugene Field : from the George H. Yenowine collection of books and manuscripts | |