THE ORPHANAGEWhen, ere the tangled web is reft,The kid-gloved villain scowls andsneers,And hapless innocence is leftWith no assets save sighs and tears,'Tis then, just then, that in there stalksThe hero, watchful of her needs;He talks, Great heavens how he talks!But we forgive him, for his deeds.Life is the drama here to-dayAnd Death the villain of the plot.It is a realistic play.Shall it end well or shall it not?The hero? Oh, the hero's partIs vacant — to be played by you.Then act it well! An orphan's heartMay beat the lighter if you do.
When, ere the tangled web is reft,The kid-gloved villain scowls andsneers,And hapless innocence is leftWith no assets save sighs and tears,'Tis then, just then, that in there stalksThe hero, watchful of her needs;He talks, Great heavens how he talks!But we forgive him, for his deeds.Life is the drama here to-dayAnd Death the villain of the plot.It is a realistic play.Shall it end well or shall it not?The hero? Oh, the hero's partIs vacant — to be played by you.Then act it well! An orphan's heartMay beat the lighter if you do.