Page:Poems Angier.djvu/36

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22
POEMS.
Her faith was simple, and her soul sincere,
Her trust the merits of a Saviour dear.

She never prated much of "woman's right,"
Of spirit-rappings, which weak souls affright;
The law sustained, nor did that code contemn
Which bids us praise the good, the bad condemn.

She bore no malice, but was gentle-souled,
Though some the story tell that she could scold;
If graceless urchin from her work-room drew
Her scissors, thread, bag, pincushion, or threw

Her pieces round, or snarled her basting-thread—
That child must straightway from the room be led,
Reproved, chastised, till with repentance meek
It sought a kiss of pardon on its cheek.

And then the culprit, it must be confessed,
Was always in the wrong, for " she knew best;"
As all unmarried folks the world can show
What children should, and what they should not do.

Her own neat wardrobe cost her little thought,
She toiled for others, planned, contrived, and wrought: