And  then,  although  we  dryly  grin,
The  little  voice  is  heard  within ;  —
"I  '11  show  these  fellows  some  day,  when
I  get  to  be  a  big  man.    Then
I  — well  — I  will."

And  though  a  larger  place  we  fill,
The  Nemesis  is  working  still.
The  author's  favorite  book  is  cursed,
The  judge's  ruling  is  reversed;
The  Congressman  sits  meekly  by
Unfavored  of  the  Speaker's  eye ;
The  Senator  stands  down  the  line
56


YOU    WAIT


When  Cabinet  officials  dine;
The  President's  knee  becomes  infirm
Before  the  god,  Another  Term.
And  in  the  inmost  heart  of  each
There  cries  again  the  boyish  speech ;  -
"  It  will  be  different  some  day  when
I  am  a  great  big  man.    Ah,  then
I  —  weU  —  I  will"


57


IMPERTINENT     POEMS


PASS

Did  somebody  give  you  a  pat  on  the  back?

Pass  it  on!
Let  somebody  else  have  a  taste  of  the  smack,

Pass  it  on!
If  it  heightens  your  courage,  or  lightens  your

pack,
If  it  kisses  your  soul,  with  a  song  in  the

smack,

Maybe  somebody  else  has  been  dressing  in
black ;

Pass  it  on!

God  gives  you  a  smile,  not  to  make  it  a
yawn;

Pass  it  on!

Did  somebody  show  you  a  slanderous  mess?
Pass  it  by!


PASS

When  a  brook  's  flowing  by,  will  you  drink
at  the  cess?

Pass  it  by!
Dame  Gossip   's  a  wanton,   whatever  her

dress ;

Her  sire  was  a  lie  and  her  dam  was  a  guess,
And  a  poison  is  in  her  polluting  caress;

Pass  it  by!

Unless  you  're  a  porker,  keep  out  of  the  sty.
