"Rover in Church"

by James Buckham

'Twas a Sunday morning in early May,

A beautiful, sunny, quiet day,

And all the village, old and young,

Had trooped to church when the church bell rung.

The windows were open, and breezes sweet

Fluttered the hymn books from seat to seat.

Even the birds in the pale-leaved birch

Sang as softly as if in church!

Right in the midst of the minister's prayer

There came a knock at the door. "Who's there,

I wonder?" the gray-haired sexton thought,

As his careful ear, the tapping caught.

Rap-rap, rap-rap--a louder sound,

The boys on the back seats turned around.

What could it mean? for never before

Had anyone knocked at the old church door.

Again, the tapping, and now so loud,

The minister paused (though his head was bowed).

Rappety-rap! This will never do,

The girls are peeping and laughing too!

So, the sexton tripped o'er the creaking floor,

Lifted the latch and opened the door.

In there trotted a big black dog,

As big as a bear! With solemn jog

Right up the centre aisle he pattered;

People might stare, it little mattered.

Straight he went to a little maid,

Who blushed and hid, as though afraid,

And there sat down as if to say,

"I'm sorry that I was late today,

But better late than never, you know;

Beside, I waited an hour or so,

And couldn't get them to open the door

Till I wagged my tail and bumped the floor.

Now, little mistress, I'm going to stay,

And hear what the minister has to say."

The poor little girl hid her face and cried!

But the big dog nestled close to her side,

And kissed her, dog fashion, tenderly,

Wondering what the matter could be!

The dog being large (and the sexton small),

He sat through the sermon and heard it all,

As solemn and wise as anyone there,

With a very dignified, scholoarly air!

And instead of scolding, the minister said,

As he laid his hand on the sweet child's head,

After the service, "I never knew

Two better list'ners than Rover and you!"