72
susanna.
"Our silent Ernest I sought to teach,
When two years old, the birds' glad speech,
The quail, the wren, the cat-bird's screech;
He looked where I pointed and shook his head,
He did not hear the words I said.
When two years old, the birds' glad speech,
The quail, the wren, the cat-bird's screech;
He looked where I pointed and shook his head,
He did not hear the words I said.
"Mary, the next, no soulful sound
E'er heard or uttered; the mole in the ground
Is not more still and fancy-bound
Than she, poor child!—only our Jane
Can hear my words and answer again,
E'er heard or uttered; the mole in the ground
Is not more still and fancy-bound
Than she, poor child!—only our Jane
Can hear my words and answer again,
"Jane is married and lives below:
Ernest, the father, under the snow
Was buried ten strong winters ago;
But life since then has not stood still;
I journey on through good and ill.
Ernest, the father, under the snow
Was buried ten strong winters ago;
But life since then has not stood still;
I journey on through good and ill.
"Change is the winged child of God;
Lay off, if need, each cherished good,
And thus renew the noble blood;
Lay off, if need, each cherished good,
And thus renew the noble blood;
