Page:Poems (IA poems00harp).pdf/63

Cruel and dull, they saw in him
 For sport an evil chance,
And then demanded of the child
 To give to them a dance.

"Come dance for us," the rough men said;
 "I can't," the child replied,
"I cannot for the dear Lord's sake,
 Who for my sins once died."

Tho' they were strong and he was weak,
 He wouldn't his Lord deny.
His life lay in their cruel hands,
 But he for Christ could die.

Heard they aright? Did that brave child.
 Their mandates dare resist?
Did he against their stern commands.
 Have courage to insist?

Then recklessly a man (?) arose,
 And dealt a fearful blow.
He crushed the portals of that life,
 And laid the brave child low.

And trampled on his prostrate form,
 As on a broken toy;