CITY INCIDENT.
ALTHOUGH simply drawn, the picture is true,
Pause for a moment and listen, my friend;
Just as it was I will sketch it for you,
In charity's name your sympathy lend.
Walking alone on a mission to-day,
I met on the park, by a wealthy man's door,
A boy—O his accents I cannot portray—
Scarce seven years old, and wretchedly poor.
Pause for a moment and listen, my friend;
Just as it was I will sketch it for you,
In charity's name your sympathy lend.
Walking alone on a mission to-day,
I met on the park, by a wealthy man's door,
A boy—O his accents I cannot portray—
Scarce seven years old, and wretchedly poor.
"They've taken my bread;" this answer he gave
When the question was put, "Pray, why do you cry?"
"This is my basket, and all I could save;
They snatched it and ran; now for more would I try,
But, lady, 'tis late, the lamplighter 's round,
Now lighting the streets already, you see;
I have a long walk on cold, frozen ground,
And mother and sister are waiting for me.
When the question was put, "Pray, why do you cry?"
"This is my basket, and all I could save;
They snatched it and ran; now for more would I try,
But, lady, 'tis late, the lamplighter 's round,
Now lighting the streets already, you see;
I have a long walk on cold, frozen ground,
And mother and sister are waiting for me.
"I begged just enough for their supper, I thought,
And was running along at the top of my speed,
When three naughty boys, a piece they each caught
From my basket, while I was in hunger and need.
My father was killed in the war long ago,
And mother is sick, and my sister is young.
And was running along at the top of my speed,
When three naughty boys, a piece they each caught
From my basket, while I was in hunger and need.
My father was killed in the war long ago,
And mother is sick, and my sister is young.
