Thomas MacDonagh

Dublin Tramcars

I.

A sailor sitting in a tram--
A face that winces in the wind--
That sees and knows me what I am,
That looks through courtesy and sham
And sees the good and bad behind--
He is not God to save or damn,
Thank God, I need not wish him blind!

II.

Calvin and Chaucer I saw to-day
Come into the Terenure car:
Certain I am that it was they,
Though someone may know them here and say
What different men they are,
I know their pictures -- and there they sat,
And passing the Catholic church at Rathgar
Calvin took off his hat
And blessed himself, and Chaucer at that
Chuckled and looked away.