* THE MOUSE AND THE EPITAPH *

In moonlight grey the hungry church-yard mouse

Sat on old William Blee — his narrow house.

Climbing the mound, an ancient slate he read,

Then spoke, with rustic frankness, to the dead.

“’ A husband and a father dear’: What then?

So much is true of mice as well as men.

’ Friend to the poor’? That’ s humbug, Billy Blee!

When did you ever spare a crumb for me?”