Volume IV Part 24 (2/2)

XII.

But these others--children small, Spilt like blots about the city, Quay, and street, and palace-wall-- Take them up into your pity!

XIII.

Ragged children with bare feet, Whom the angels in white raiment Know the names of, to repeat When they come on you for payment.

XIV.

Ragged children, hungry-eyed, Huddled up out of the coldness On your doorsteps, side by side, Till your footman d.a.m.ns their boldness.

XV.

In the alleys, in the squares, Begging, lying little rebels; In the noisy thoroughfares, Struggling on with piteous trebles.

XVI.

Patient children--think what pain Makes a young child patient--ponder!

Wronged too commonly to strain After right, or wish, or wonder.

XVII.

Wicked children, with peaked chins, And old foreheads! there are many With no pleasures except sins, Gambling with a stolen penny.

XVIII.

Sickly children, that whine low To themselves and not their mothers, From mere habit,--never so Hoping help or care from others.

XIX.

Healthy children, with those blue English eyes, fresh from their Maker, Fierce and ravenous, staring through At the brown loaves of the baker.

XX.

I am listening here in Rome, And the Romans are confessing, ”English children pa.s.s in bloom All the prettiest made for blessing.

XXI.

”_Angli angeli!_” (resumed From the mediaeval story) ”Such rose angelhoods, emplumed In such ringlets of pure glory!”

XXII.

Can we smooth down the bright hair, O my sisters, calm, unthrilled in Our heart's pulses? Can we bear The sweet looks of our own children,

XXIII.

While those others, lean and small, Scurf and mildew of the city, Spot our streets, convict us all Till we take them into pity?

XXIV.

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