Page:Chesterton - The Ballad of St. Barbara and other verses, 1922.djvu/94

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SONGS OF EDUCATION:


VI. Hygiene

Form 394411102, Sub-Section X

"All practical Eugenists are agreed on the
importance of sleep."—The Eugenic Congress.

When Science taught mankind to breathe
A little while ago,
Only a wise and thoughtful few
Were really in the know:
Nor could the Youth his features wreathe,
Puffing from all the lungs beneath:
When Duty whispered softly "Breathe!"
The Youth would answer "Blow!"

When Science proved with lucid care
The need of Exercise,
Our thoughtless Youth was climbing trees
Or lightly blacking eyes:
To reckless idlers breaking bounds
For football or for hare-and-hounds,
Or fighting hard for fourteen rounds,
It came as a surprise.

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