The Twins

Give'' and ``It-shall-be-given-unto-you.'' I. Grand rough old Martin Luther Bloomed fables---flowers on furze, The better the uncouther: Do roses stick like burrs? II. A beggar asked an alms One day at an abbey-door, Said Luther; but, seized with qualms, The abbot replied, ``We're poor! III. ``Poor, who had plenty once, ``When gifts fell thick as rain: ``But they give us nought, for the nonce, ``And how should we give again?'' IV. Then the beggar, ``See your sins! ``Of old, unless I err, ``Ye had brothers for inmates, twins, ``Date and Dabitur. V. ``While Date was in good case ``Dabitur flourished too: ``For Dabitur's lenten face ``No wonder if Date rue. VI. ``Would ye retrieve the one? ``Try and make plump the other! ``When Date's penance is done, ``Dabitur helps his brother. VII. ``Only, beware relapse!'' The Abbot hung his head. This beggar might be perhaps An angel, Luther said.