“Let dogs delight to bark and bite”

Let dogs delight to bark and bite,   For God hath made them so; Let bears and lions growl and fight,   For ’t is their nature to; But, children, you should never let   Your angry passions rise; Your little hands were never made   To tear each other’s eyes. Let love through all your actions run,   And all your words be mild; Live like the blessèd Virgin’s Son,—   That sweet and lovely child. His soul was gentle as a lamb;   And as his stature grew, He grew in favor both with man   And God his father, too. Now, Lord of all, he reigns above;   And from his heavenly throne, He sees what children dwell in love,   And marks them for his own.