text:  Go hearts of sin and heads of trifling From your vile streets so foul and stifling They sweep the dirt--no useless trade! But when their robes with ordure staining Altar and sacrifice disdaining Did e'er your _priests_ ply broom and spade? 'Twas not for life's base agitation That _we_ were born--for gain nor care-- No--we were born for inspiration For love for music and for prayer! * * * * * The ballad entitled "The Black Shawl" has obtained a degree of popularity among the author's countrymen for which the slightness of the composition renders it in some measure difficult to account