The day that I was christened- br It's a hundred years, and more!- br A hag came and listened br At the white church door, br A-hearing her that bore me br And all my kith and kin br Considerately, for me, br Renouncing sin. br While some gave me corals, br And some gave me gold, br And porringers, with morals br Agreeably scrolled, br The hag stood, buckled br In a dim gray cloak; br Stood there and chuckled, br Spat, and spoke: br "There's few enough in life'll br Be needing my help, br But I've got a trifle br For your fine young whelp. br I give her sadness, br And the gift of pain, br The new-moon madness, br And the love of rain.