And so the Morning Sun can gain Milady when he tries, But Midnight Sons must lose, 'tis plain, Because they're late to rise. OWED TO A ROACH O, Thou, who thru the sink doth blithely go; (O, Little Roach, how could you _sink_ so low?) Who pipeth all your kin from kitchens near Wherever crumbs of comfort may appear; Who layeth siege, in mural cracks or trenches, Where grease spots lure or rampant be the stenches; Who hideth in the dough when bread is rising,-- I ask you to a Feast, of my devising,-- To eat these _powders_, 'round the plumbing placed, Until your glutted carcass be effaced. O, Little Roach, if you would selfish be And not "ring in" your whole fool family, We'd tolerate you: nay, a pet would make you If you'd not scamper all our pie and cake thru! THE MOODS OF THE WINDS O, Breezes of Spring! How they rollick and ring With delight as they sing Like birds on the wing. O, Zephyrs of May! With your balm and bouquet; How you gladden the day Like Fairies at play. O, Winds of the Fall! How they thrill and enthrall, How they hurtle and call With shrill caterwaul. O, Winter's bleak Breath! How it freezes and saith To the ice-vested wraith, "Thou'rt shrouded in Death." THE TOXIC TIPPET 'Tis said that Mary, she of Reader note, Was wrapped up in her lamb--her lambskin coat-- E'en after his demise, beatified. He served her well, and for his mistress dyed. Then Mary died, and took angelic form, Because the lambskin (used to keep her warm) Gave her the anthrax: what a cruel blow To be thus snatched above from furbelow! TWENTY-THIRD PSALM My Shepherd careth for His flock: Beneath a cloudless sky In pastures green, by spring-cleft rock, In luxury I lie. He brings contentment to my soul And leads me to the Light, By which I see the Heav'nly goal From dismal depths of Night. Though Poverty attend my way And sorrow fills my heart, Thy Guidance will disaster stay, So good and pure Thou art! Thou, in the presence of my foes, Bestoweth favors rare, And giveth pleasure and repose In answer to my prayer. To such a Shepherd I will give My everlasting love, And glory in the Hope--to live With Him, at last, Above. FRIENDSHIP