The Barefoot Boy

Blessings on thee, little man! Barefoot boy, with cheeks of tan! With thy turned-up pantaloons, And thy merry whistled tunes; With thy cap of Apple green,— What, though you are small and mean!

Feckless-hearted, joy-begotten, ‘Tis thy heart is like a diamond,— More than hearts of kings and kings, Pulling the common wealth of things.

• John G Whittier