Ballad of the Children

My child, we two were children,

As lively as ever you saw

We crept into the hen-coop,

and hid there beneath the straw.

And there like cocks crowed loudly

While folks went passing by.

"Kickerykoo!" They fancied

'Twas really the cocks' own cry.

The chests that lay in the courtyard,

With paper overlaid,

And there we lived together;

An excellent house we made.

The old cat of our neighbor

Would visit us at whiles

We gave her bows and curt'sies

And compliments and smiles.

After her health we enquired

Gravely when ever she came

To many an ancient Tabby

since then we have done the same.

We talked like grown folks sagely

And sat there oft and long,

Complaining how things had alter'd

Since the days when we were young

How love and faith and friendship

Had vanished, the world was bare

How dear were tea and coffee

And money had grown so rare...

Those childish games are over

All things roll on with youth

Money the world and the seasons

And love and faith and truth.