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" You say so, you !
What private knowledge have you ? "
Thus we clashed
In sudden steelly war ; and all the while
Our placid dolls lay smiling in our laps ;
And, like two warring mothers, each would clasp
Her waxen babe, and press its face to hers,
And say, " You are not frightened, are you, Sweet ?
We mean no harm, you know, we're often thus."
And in the soft caressing, wrath went out,
And heart drew near to heart with clinging hands :
There followed then, " Dear, it is your turn now :
There is a cavern ; tell me what you see."
" I see a silver palace in the sun,
With rose-leaf windows, and an emerald floor,
Where gossamer fairies ever dance and play,
And love, but not too sorely, lest they die."
" The simpletons ! to shrink from death or grief :
Why, everybody dies and as for grief,
When I am old I mean to count my griefs,
And say, ' This have I gained, and this, and this,'
And hold them jewels, as the Bible says,
To give the King."