The Prayer Of Cyrus Brown



"The proper way for a man to pray,"
Said Deacon Lemuel Keyes,
"And the only proper attitude
Is down upon his knees."


No, I should say the way to pray,"
Said Reverend Doctor Wise,
"Is standing upright with outstretched arms,
And rapt and upturned eyes."


"Oh,no, no, no," said Elder Slow,
"Such a posture is too proud:
A man should pray with eyes fast closed,
And head contritely bowed."


"It seems to me his hands should be
Austerely clasped in front,
With both thumbs down, pointing toward the ground,"
Said Reverend Dr. Blunt.


"Las' year I fell in Hodgkind's well,
Head first," said Cyrus Brown,
"With both my heels a-stickin' up,
My head a-pinting down.


"An' I made a prayer right then and there ---
Best prayer I ever said,
The prayingest prayer I ever prayed,
A-standin' on my head!"


By Sam Walter Foss,
1858-1911