POEMS OLD AND NEW

And, being thus coupled with full restitution.
The Jackdaw got plenary absolution !

—When those words were heard,

That poor little bird
Was so changed in a moment, 'twas really absurd.

He grew sleek, and fat;

In addition to that,
A fresh crop of feathers came thick as a mat !

His tail waggled more

Even than before ; 10

But no longer it wagg'd with an impudent air,
No longer he perch'd on the Cardinal's chair.

He hopp'd now about

With a gait devout ;

At Matins, at Vespers, he never was out ;
And, so far from any more pilfering deeds,
He always seem'd telling the Confessor's beads.
If any one lied,—or if any one swore,—
Or slumber'd in pray'r-time and happen'd to snore,

That good Jackdaw 20

Would give a great " Caw ! "
As much as to say, " Don't do so any more ! "
While many remark'd, as his manners they saw,
That they " never had known such a pious Jackdaw! "

He long lived the pride

Of that country-side,
And at last in the odour of sanctity died ;

When, as words were too faint

His merits to paint,

The Conclave determined to make him a Saint; 30
And on newly made Saints and Popes, as you know,
It's the custom, at Rome, new names to bestow,
So they canonized him by the name of Jim Crow !

R. H. BARHAM

170