LET HIM LIVE.
Reading edition
WHEN one sees a harmless snake, Lying torpid, scarce awake, On a chilly morning, Is it well his life to take Without leave or warning? Pretty brown and yellow snake, Whom the sun doth gently wake In the lap of nature, Here is room for weed and brake— Room for every creature. Teach us, Nature, how to love, Not the flower and bird alone, Gracious man and woman— Not the beautiful alone, Whether brute or human. Teach us, that we may not wound Even a striped snake on the ground, Sunshine all around him! We will go without a sound— Leave him as we found him. Mary R. Whittlesey.