THE LITTLE DEAD CHILD
When all but her were sleeping fast,
And the night was nearly fled,
The little dead child came up the stair
And stood by his mother's bed.
And the night was nearly fled,
The little dead child came up the stair
And stood by his mother's bed.
"Ah, God!" she cried, "the nights are three,
And yet I have not slept!"
The little dead child he sat him down,
And sank his head, and wept.
And yet I have not slept!"
The little dead child he sat him down,
And sank his head, and wept.
·······
"And is it thou, my little dead child,
Come in from out the storm?
Ah, lie thou back against my heart,
And I will keep thee warm!"
Come in from out the storm?
Ah, lie thou back against my heart,
And I will keep thee warm!"
That is long ago, mother,
Long and long ago!
Shall I grow warm who lay three nights
Beneath the winter snow?
Long and long ago!
Shall I grow warm who lay three nights
Beneath the winter snow?
·······
"Hast thou not heard the old nurse weep?
She sings to us no more;
And thy brothers leave the broken toys
And whisper in the door."
She sings to us no more;
And thy brothers leave the broken toys
And whisper in the door."
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