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New songs of innocence

By James Logie Robertson

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THE COMMON SORROWS.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


12

THE COMMON SORROWS.

Out of the pleasant meadows,
Ablaze with noonday light,
Into the vale of shadows,
Into the gathering night,
With trembling feet I wander,
And fears unowned and wild,
To some dark goal out yonder,
Bearing my little child.
So gaily he is singing,
Secure upon my arm,
Close to my bosom clinging,
Without a dream of harm;
And I, my heart near breaking,
Must answer gaily too,
Striving with eyes dull aching
To pierce the darkness through.
It may be heaven is hidden
Behind these vulture-wings,
That droop at once, unbidden,
O'er fairest earthly things.
So useless sight and eyes are
Against their silent pall,
My darling here is wiser,
That will not look at all!