Beard And Baby

I say, as one who never feared     The wrath of a subscriber's bullet,     I pity him who has a beard     But has no little girl to pull it!     When wife and I have finished tea,     Our baby woos me with her prattle,     And, perching proudly on my knee,     She gives my petted whiskers battle.     With both her hands she tugs away,     While scolding at me kind o' spiteful;     You'll not believe me when I say     I find the torture quite delightful!     No other would presume, I ween,     To trifle with this hirsute wonder,     Else would I rise in vengeful mien     And rend his vandal frame asunder!     But when her baby fingers pull     This glossy, sleek, and silky treasure,     My cup of happiness is full -     I fairly glow with pride and pleasure!     And, sweeter still, through all the day     I seem to hear her winsome prattle -     I seem to feel her hands at play,     As though they gave me sportive battle.     Yes, heavenly music seems to steal     Where thought of her forever lingers,     And round my heart I always feel     The twining of her dimpled fingers!