His Apologies

Master, behold Thy Servant! Strange children came to play,

And because they fought to caress him, Thy Servant wentedst away.

But now that the Little Beasts have gone, he has returned to see

(Brushed — with his Sunday collar on) what they left over from tea.

Master, pity Thy Servant! He is deaf and three parts blind,

He cannot catch Thy Commandments. He cannot read Thy Mind.

Oh, leave him not in his loneliness; nor make him that kitten’s scorn.

He hath had none other God than Thee since the year that he was born!

Lord, look down on Thy Servant! Bad things have come to pass,

There is no heat in the midday sun, nor health in the wayside grass.

His bones are full of an old disease — his torments run and increase.

Lord, make haste with Thy Lightnings and grant him a, quick release!