  Orphan children two and two, Wandering gladly on we view, All of them blue coats are wearing, All of them red cheeks are bearing— O the pretty orphan children! All are moved when thus they prattle, And the money boxes rattle; Liberal alms upon them flow, That their secret sires bestow,— O the pretty orphan children! Women of a feeling heart Many a poor child kiss apart, Kiss his driv’lling nose (not pleasant), Give him sweetmeats as a present— O the pretty orphan children! One, with timid face but willing, Throws into the box a shilling,— For he has a heart,—then gaily Follows he his business daily— O the pretty orphan children! One a golden louis-d’or Next bestows, but not before Heavenward looking, hoping blindly That the Lord will view him kindly— O the pretty orphan children! Porters, coopers, working men, Servants, make to-day again Holiday, and drain their glasses, Drinking to these lads and lasses— O the pretty orphan children! Tutelar Hammonia Follows them incognita; As she moves, her form gigantic Sways about, in manner frantic— O the pretty orphan children! In the green field where they went Music fills the lofty tent, Cover’d o’er with flag and banner; There are fed in sumptuous manner All these pretty orphan children. There in lengthy rows they sit, Eating many a nice tit-bit, Tarts and cakes and sweet things crunching, While like little mice they’re munching,— All these pretty orphan children. Now my thoughts to dwell begin On an orphan-house wherein There no feasting is or gladness, Where lament in ceaseless sadness, Millions of poor orphan children. There no uniforms are seen, Many want their dinner e’en; No two walk together yonder, Lonely, sorrowfully wander Many million orphan children. |
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