Poems (Waldenburg)/Moral Tale
A MORAL TALE.FRENCH OF ARNAL.
One day, when passing down the street,
A little child I chanced to meet,
With tearful eyes and looks of woe;
"My little friend why weep you so?"
I asked, and drew her near to me.
"I've lost my money, Sir," said she,
And it I never more shall find,
'Twas given me by my mother kind,
A ten-sous piece, so bright and new;
I can't but cry, what shall I do?"
A little child I chanced to meet,
With tearful eyes and looks of woe;
"My little friend why weep you so?"
I asked, and drew her near to me.
"I've lost my money, Sir," said she,
And it I never more shall find,
'Twas given me by my mother kind,
A ten-sous piece, so bright and new;
I can't but cry, what shall I do?"
"Cease weeping, little one, see, here
Is one that's just as good and clear;
So wipe your eyes, and with these sous
Buy sweets, or what your heart may choose.
A smile like sunlight crossed her face,
Yet still beneath it I could trace
A look of sadness, so said I,
"What ails you now, would you still cry?
What further trouble do you hide?"
"But, Monsieur," low the child replied,
"See, this is why I feel so sad,
If I those other sous but had—
That I have lost, why then, you see
How glad with twenty sous I'd be!
Is one that's just as good and clear;
So wipe your eyes, and with these sous
Buy sweets, or what your heart may choose.
A smile like sunlight crossed her face,
Yet still beneath it I could trace
A look of sadness, so said I,
"What ails you now, would you still cry?
What further trouble do you hide?"
"But, Monsieur," low the child replied,
"See, this is why I feel so sad,
If I those other sous but had—
That I have lost, why then, you see
How glad with twenty sous I'd be!