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MY BOY.
113
"Till the dear Lord and gentle
Sent me to soothe your pain,
And, if you fain would keep me,
He bids me to remain."




I kissed his tender eyelids,
I laid him on my heart;
And yet, when came the dawning,
I prayed him to depart.

I feared the unknown future,
I feared the paths untried,—
How dared I keep my darling
When Heaven was opened wide?

But yet my heart is lonely
Since Boy and Bird have fled,—
I hear the silence only,
And wish that I were dead.