p. 13 | If I Knew

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 9, 1903

If I Knew

If I knew the box where the smiles are kept, No matter how large the key, Or strong the bolt, I would try so hard 'T would open, I know, for me. Then over the land and the sea, broadcast, I'd scatter the smiles to play, That the children's faces might hold them fast For many and many a day.

If I knew a box that was large enough To hold all the frowns I meet, I would like to gather them, every one, From nursery, school, and street. Then, folding and holding, I'd pack them in, And, turning the monster key, I'd hire a giant to drop the box To the depths of the deep, deep sea.

— The American Jewess.