“ SPLITS ” 
 
 
Who has not seen arid envied (with a grunt) 
The lusty partner of a maiden prance 
Up and down gaily in a glorious country dance ? 
 
What joy have mariners to sail a brig ! 
Who knows not how they heed not, neither reck, 
Or how a sailor loves a goodly frigate’s deck ? 
 
Or his who leaves his wife, his only joy. 
“ Ah !  Soul of mine, I weep that we must part.” 
Yet never goes abroad without a buoyant heart. 
 
Such joys are his who loves the grassy knoll 
And contemplates the sad, effusive me. 
Nor seeks in vain the Virgin Mary’s holy shrine. 
 
 
[127]