Little Things

James STEPHENS (1882-1950)

Little things that run and quail,
And die, in silence and despair!

Little things, that fight and fail,
And fall, on sea, and earth, and air!

All trapped and frightened little things,
The mouse, the coney, hear our prayer!

And we forgive those done to us -
The lamb, the linnet, and the hare -

Forgive us all our trespasses,
Little creatures, everywhere!