Poems (Geisse)/I'd Like to be a Lion

by Mary A. Geisse

I'D LIKE TO BE A LION.

I'd like to be a lion,
 For I'd have friends galore,
They'd come from far to visit me
 And shake my mighty paw;
And all my faults would dwindle
 Before their tolerant eyes,
And all my little virtues grow
 To a colossal size.

I'd like to be a lion,
 What lessons I could teach,
I'd use my claws on all the knaves
 Who came within my reach;
The mean, the base, the cruel,
 Should quail beneath my wrath,
Until the boldest villain
 Would fear to cross my path.

I'd like to be a lion,
 I'd strive with all my might
To aid the weak and helpless,
 And to defend the right.
I'd teach the new commandment
 In such a novel way,
'Twould be an inspiration
 To folks for many a day.

I'd like to be a lion,
 As big as Samson slew;
I wonder if I'd grow as vain
 As some great lions do.
They say it often spoils a man
 To be considered great,
That only kingly souls can stand
 The test of high estate.