Select Poetry.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 246, 5 August 1876, Page 3

Select Poetry.

"ALLOW FOR THE CRAWL."—A HOMILY You have often, no doubt, hart occasion to note, Though the garment, at first, seemed certain to That, after some wearing, the sleeve of the Cfafc T'ward the shoulder was crawling, by easy degreel , And that's what the clothier, of course, had in mind When he said to a customer, 'Long?-not at all . The sleeves are just right-as you'll presently find— In cutting the coat we allow for the crawl i The expression was one wholly new to me then ; But it set me to thinking how well it applies, Not merely to coats, but to women and men, In matters of life as they daily arise ; Consider the shrinkage in human affairs— The promise, how great ; the performance, how small ; And lest disappointment should come unawares, Remember the sleeve—and " allow for the crawl ! The statesman who asks for your ballot to save Your country, so rashly imperilled to-day, May covet an office and not be a knave, Whatever the fierce Opposition may say. But the " platform" to which he so valiantly clings By which he proposes to stand or to fall—- " Resolutions," remember, are slippery things— And in politics always " allow for the crawl! You are deeply in love with the sweetest of girls ; An angel in hoops—only wanting the wings ! (If angels could purchase such beautiful curls !) Like a seraph she smiles ; like a siren she sings. Ah ! splendid and vast are the fancies of youth ; But down to facts they must finally fall; And happy the couple who, finding the truth ;> In conjugal kindness " allow for the crawl." In brief, recollect that in human affairs, In social connection, in travel and trade, In courtship and marriage, in sermons and prayers, Sone grains of concession should always be made. In fine, be a prudent, though generous man : Unfriendly to none, and veracious with all ; Believe in your neighbor as much as you can _ But always be sure to " allow for the crawl I John G. Saxe.