Let dogs delight to bark and bite,
For God hath made them so;
Let bears and lions growl and fight,
For 'tis their nature to;
But, children, you should never let
Your angry passions rise:
Your little hands were never made
To tear each other's eyes.
Let love through all your actions run,
And all your words be mild;
Live like the blessèd Virgin's Son,--
That sweet and lovely child.
His soul was gentle as a lamb;
And as his stature grew,
He grew in favor both with man
And God his father, too.
Now, Lord of all, he reigns above;
And from his heavenly throne,
He sees what children dwell in love,
And marks them for his own.