Classic Poem

Back in those days ere I thought of love,
Kissing at games in a picnic grove,
Cried one lass as she made a spring:
" Make me a Lap! you stingy thing! "
Down in my lap sat the tired madcap
And in a snap she had " made her a Lap. "

Lissome, pliant, innocent vine,
Still to my heart I can feel her twine,
Trustfully as my kitten's play,
Light as the birds in that greenwood day;
Sweet as the sap in the fruit tree's tap,
Vine-like her wrap as I " made her a Lap. "

Country heart! there is no mishap, —
Some good husband has " made thee a Lap " ;
In thy lap to thy trust's behove,
Children spring in the gush of love:
Thou had'st no trap of " setting thy cap, "
Teaching a chap how to " make thee a Lap. "

Earth is wide but its infinite map
Is peopled by courage that leaped in a Lap.
Cold, prude hearts that would Love go round
Consolation have partly found.
Boldly they rap who would wake from his nap
The partner whose snap can " make them a Lap. "

Widow young! whose grief has been true,
But who has brightened to life anew!
There is a lonely man somewhere
Waiting for thee if thou wouldst but dare:
Fill up the gap in his life's mishap!
Set him thy cap! he can " make thee a Lap. "

Maid, too long! art thou not exact?
Not far off must thy worth attract.
Do not shrink from the fate to be!
How did thy mother love for thee?
Smooth thy rough nap! for thyself keep no scrap!
So did it hap ere She " made thee a Lap. "

Man to man, be not too removed!
Bashful friendship is not oft loved.
Thou must leap in the heart of thy friend,
If he would carry thee out to life's end.
Throw up thy cap! Say, " Love me, old chap! "
Thou wilt be loved; he will " make thee a Lap. "

Father! Son! if there come a space
'Twixt your affectionate embrace,
Let it not grow o'ershadowing home, —
Ye must kiss in the death to come!
Close up the gap; ye have mutual sap:
Sonny and pap! " make each other a Lap! "