Poems Teachers Ask For Volume I Part 43

Nearer to the trembling watchers came the wreck tossed by the wave, And the man still clung and floated, though no power on earth could save.

"Could we send him a short message? Here's a trumpet. Shout away!"

'Twas the preacher's hand that took it, and he wondered what to say.

Any memory of his sermon? Firstly? Secondly? Ah, no!

There was but one thing to utter in that awful hour of woe.

So he shouted through the trumpet, "Look to Jesus!

Can you hear?" And "Aye, aye, sir," rang the answer o'er the waters loud and clear.

Then they listened,--"He is singing, 'Jesus, lover of my soul.'"

And the winds brought back the echo, "While the nearer waters roll."

Strange, indeed, it was to hear him,--"Till the storm of life is past,"

Singing bravely o'er the waters, "Oh, receive my soul at last!"

He could have no other refuge,--"Hangs my helpless soul on thee."

"Leave, ah! leave me not"--the singer dropped at last into the sea.

And the watchers, looking homeward, through their eyes by tears made dim, Said, "He pa.s.sed to be with Jesus in the singing of that hymn."

_Marianne Faringham._

A Fence or an Ambulance

'Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed, Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant; But over its terrible edge there had slipped A duke and full many a peasant.

So the people said something would have to be done, But their projects did not at all tally; Some said, "Put a fence around the edge of the cliff,"

Some, "An ambulance down in the valley."

But the cry for the ambulance carried the day, For it spread through the neighboring city; A fence may be useful or not, it is true, But each heart became brimful of pity For those who slipped over that dangerous cliff; And the dwellers in highway and alley Gave pounds or gave pence, not to put up a fence, But an ambulance down in the valley.

"For the cliff is all right, if you're careful," they said, "And, if folks even slip and are dropping, It isn't the slipping that hurts them so much, As the shock down below when they're stopping."

So day after day, as these mishaps occurred, Quick forth would these rescuers sally To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff, With their ambulance down in the valley.

Then an old sage remarked: "It's a marvel to me That people give far more attention To repairing results than to stopping the cause, When they'd much better aim at prevention.

Let us stop at its source all this mischief," cried he, "Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally, If the cliff we will fence, we might almost dispense With the ambulance down in the valley."

"Oh, he's a fanatic," the others rejoined, "Dispense with the ambulance? Never.

He'd dispense with all charities, too, if he could; No! No! We'll support them forever.

Aren't we picking up folks just as fast as they fall?

And shall this man dictate to us? Shall he?

Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence, While the ambulance works in the valley?"

But a sensible few, who are practical too, Will not bear with such nonsense much longer; They believe that prevention is better than cure, And their party will soon be the stronger.

Encourage them then, with your purse, voice, and pen, And while other philanthropists dally, They will scorn all pretense and put up a stout fence On the cliff that hangs over the valley.

Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old, For the voice of true wisdom is calling, "To rescue the fallen is good, but 'tis best To prevent other people from falling."

Better close up the source of temptation and crime, Than deliver from dungeon or galley; Better put a strong fence 'round the top of the cliff Than an ambulance down in the valley."

_Joseph Malins._

The Smack in School

A district school, not far away, 'Mid Berkshire hills, one winter's day, Was humming with its wonted noise Of three-score mingled girls and boys; Some few upon their tasks intent, But more on furtive mischief bent.

The while the master's downward look Was fastened on a copy-book; When suddenly, behind his back, Rose sharp and clear a rousing smack!

As 'twere a battery of bliss Let off in one tremendous kiss!

"What's that?" the startled master cries; "That, thir," a little imp replies, "Wath William Willith, if you pleathe, I thaw him kith Thuthanna Peathe!"

With frown to make a statue thrill, The master thundered, "Hither, Will!"

Like wretch o'ertaken in his track With stolen chattels on his back, Will hung his head in fear and shame, And to the awful presence came,-- A great, green, bashful simpleton, The b.u.t.t of all good-natured fun, With smile suppressed, and birch upraised The threatener faltered, "I'm amazed That you, my biggest pupil, should Be guilty of an act so rude-- Before the whole set school to boot-- What evil genius put you to 't?"

"'Twas she, herself, sir," sobbed the lad; "I did not mean to be so bad; But when Susanna shook her curls, And whispered I was 'fraid of girls, And dursn't kiss a baby's doll, I couldn't stand it, sir, at all, But up and kissed her on the spot!

I know--boo-hoo--I ought to not, But, somehow, from her looks--boo-hoo-- I thought she kind o' wished me to!"

_William Pitt Palmer._

A Woman's Question

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing Ever made by the Hand above-- A woman's heart and a woman's life, And a woman's wonderful love?

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing As a child might ask for a toy; Demanding what others have died to win, With the reckless dash of a boy?

You have written my lesson of duty out, Man-like you have questioned me-- Now stand at the bar of my woman's soul, Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot, Your socks and your shirts shall be whole.

I require your heart to be true as G.o.d's stars, And pure as heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef; I require a far better thing-- A seamstress you're wanting for stockings and shirts-- I look for a man and a king.

A king for a beautiful realm called home, And a man that the Maker, G.o.d, Shall look upon as He did the first, And say, "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose will fade From my soft, young cheek one day-- Will you love then, 'mid the falling leaves, As you did 'mid the bloom of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and deep I may launch my all on its tide?

A loving woman finds heaven or h.e.l.l On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true, All things that a man should be; If you give this all, I would stake my life To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot do this, a laundress and cook You can hire with little to pay; But a woman's heart and a woman's life Are not to be won that way.

_Lena Lathrop._