‘O God, the Sure Defence

Of Jacob’s race,

Lover of innocence

And a smooth face,

Accept my sacrifice—

A little lamb, bought at the market price.

‘With fleece so soft and clean

And horns not yet

A-bud, the creature’s been

The children’s pet.

And sore they wept to see

Their snub-nosed friend come trotting after me.’

God heard: the lightnings brake

Forth in his honour;

But by some slight mistake

Consumed the donor.

The lamb fell in a muse—

But soon took heart, and leaped among the pews.