And did young Stephen sicken, <br />And did young Stephen die? <br />And did the sad hearts thicken, <br />And did the mourners cry? <br /> <br />No; such was not the fate of <br />Young Stephen Dowling Bots; <br />Though sad hearts round him thickened, <br />'Twas not from sickness' shots. <br /> <br />No whooping-cough did rack his frame, <br />Nor measles drear, with spots; <br />Not these impaired the sacred name <br />Of Stephen Dowling Bots. <br /> <br />Despised love struck not with woe <br />That head of curly knots, <br />Nor stomach troubles laid him low, <br />Young Stephen Dowling Bots. <br /> <br />O no. Then list with tearful eye, <br />Whilst I his fate do tell. <br />His soul did from this cold world fly, <br />By falling down a well. <br /> <br />They got him out and emptied him; <br />Alas it was too late; <br />His spirit was gone for to sport aloft <br />In the realms of the good and great.<br /><br />Mar Twain<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ode-to-stephen-bowling-dots-dec-d/
