How Did You Rest, Last Night?

'How did you rest, last night?'-- I've heard my gran'pap say Them words a thousand times--that's right-- Jes them words thataway! As punctchul-like as morning dast To ever heave in sight Gran'pap 'ud allus haf to ast-- 'How did you rest, last night?' Us young-uns used to grin, At breakfast, on the sly, And mock the wobble of his chin And eyebrows belt so high And kind: _'How did you rest, last night?'_ We'd mumble and let on Our voices trimbled, and our sight Was dim, and hearin' gone. * * * * * Bad as I used to be, All I'm a-wantin' is As puore and ca'm a sleep fer me And sweet a sleep as his! And so I pray, on Jedgment Day To wake, and with its light See _his_ face dawn, and hear him say-- 'How did you rest, last night?'