tendance is _kind_,
And sit silently placid, or burst into song of a heart-searching
sort--
Muffled speech from unplumbed spirit-depths, yet inspired by the
impulse of sport.
Have a chat, my dear Madam--shrink not, they are women!--with
age-wrinkled dames,
Who are busily bed-quilting here, while the Autumn sun ruddily
flames
On the walls from the liberal windows. Bestow but a smile and a
jest,
They'll respond with a jest and a smile, for there's life in each
age-burdened breast,
And confidence, comfort, and cheer. Here again clustered close
round the fire
Are a number of grizzle-look'd men, every one is a true "hoary
sire,"
Bowed, time-beaten, grey, yet alert and responsive to kindness of
speech;
And see how old eyes can light up if you promise a pipe-charge
a-piece.
For the comforting weed KINGSLEY eulogised is not taboo in this
place,
Where the whiff aromatic brings not cold reproval to Charity's face.
Ah! the tale is o'erlong for full telling; but never a bright
afternoon
In London's chill leaf-strewn October was better bestowed. 'Tis a
boon
To be able to speak on behalf of Samaritan kindness so schemed,
In a way in which lovers of man, not of mummeries, ever have