The+Little+Vagabond+by+Blake

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 **// The Little Vagabond //**  ** (From Songs of Experience) ** By William Blake Dear mother, dear mother, the church is cold,  But the ale-house is healthy and pleasant and warm;  Besides I can tell where I am used well,  Such usage in Heaven will never do well.

 But if at the church they would give us some ale,  And a pleasant fire our souls to regale,  We'd sing and we'd pray all the live-long day,  Nor ever once wish from the church to stray.

 Then the parson might preach, and drink, and sing,  And we'd be as happy as birds in the spring;  And modest Dame Lurch, who is always at church,  Would not have bandy children, nor fasting, nor birch.

 And God, like a father rejoicing to see  His children as pleasant and happy as he, <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: Times; margin-left: 78pt;"> Would have no more quarrel with the Devil or the barrel, <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: Times; margin-left: 78pt;"> But kiss him, and give him both drink and apparel. 1794