Not found in Holy Writ,

Had made Bible out of it.

 But though it is not Gospel, There is no law to hold The heart from growing better That hears the story told:— 

There is no law to hold

That hears the story told:—

 How the little Jewish children Upon a summer day, Went down across the meadows With the Child Christ to play. 

Upon a summer day,

With the Child Christ to play.

 And in the gold-green valley, Where low the reed-grass lay, They made them mock mud-sparrows Out of the meadow clay. 

Where low the reed-grass lay,

Out of the meadow clay.

 So, when these all were fashioned, And ranged in rows about, "Now," said the little Jesus, "We'll let the birds fly out." 

And ranged in rows about,

"We'll let the birds fly out."

 Then all the happy children Did call, and coax, and cry— Each to his own mud-sparrow: "Fly, as I bid you! Fly!" 

Did call, and coax, and cry—

"Fly, as I bid you! Fly!"

 But earthen were the sparrows, And earth they did remain, Though loud the Jewish children Cried out, and cried again. 

And earth they did remain,

Cried out, and cried again.

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