Scandal

This is God's poorest lambing-time,

Our life is one of evil;

Who'll bring me news that's kind and sweet,

Where Mercy shames the devil?

We leap like fleas before we look,

On any sin or lie;

Unless I hear more kindness soon,

I'll laugh until I die.

I'll put this injured Bee to rest,

Safe on a mossy stone-

Till Scandal, blackening all that's white,

Has said 'Good-bye', and gone.