William Thomas Goodge - A Bad Break

The preacher quoted, and the cranks
Among his congregation smiled,
"How sharper than a serpent's thanks
It is to have a toothless child."

He saw he erred, his eye grew wild,
He frowned upon the mirthful ranks:
"How toothless than a serpent's child
It is to have a sharper's thanks!"

William Thomas Goodge

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-bad-break/