Classic Poem

'Twas just at eve, long years ago,
A little girl lay dying,
And they who soon would miss her so
Stood by her, softly crying.
They said, “She's gone.” But soon her eye
Beckoned her father near,
And when he bowed his head more nigh
She whispered low, with latest sigh—
“Be a dood man, papa dear.”

God knows: perhaps the spotless soul,
Part way toward glory winging,
Turned earthward from its heavenly goal
This precious message bringing.
Perhaps so tender was her love
For those remaining here,
It brought her, like a blessed dove,
Back with these words of peace and love—
“Be a dood man, papa dear.”

A change came o'er the father then,
Subduing him and taming;
No more he sought, with sinful men,
Resorts of vice and gaming.
For always, after that sad day,
To wicked taunt and jeer
He answered: “I'll not go astray.
I hear my girl in heaven say—
‘Be a dood man, papa dear.’”