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31
HIS QUESTION
I put my little boy to bed
Rosy, new-bathed, from head to feet.
And what was the strange thing he said
All in the twilight sweet?
Rosy, new-bathed, from head to feet.
And what was the strange thing he said
All in the twilight sweet?
All in the firelight like a rose
We crept together, he and I;
“What will you do,” he whispered close,
“Some day when I shall die?”
We crept together, he and I;
“What will you do,” he whispered close,
“Some day when I shall die?”
“We must all die one day,” he said,
The five-years' darling, sweet and wild.
How did you know, O silken head,
Too wise for any child!
The five-years' darling, sweet and wild.
How did you know, O silken head,
Too wise for any child!
All day, for earth just good enough,
He plays his turbulent, childish part;
At evening in our hour of love
He stabs his mother's heart.
He plays his turbulent, childish part;
At evening in our hour of love
He stabs his mother's heart.
32
With clinging arms about my head,
Between the kisses, close and dear;
“What will you do when I am dead?”
He whispered in my ear.
Between the kisses, close and dear;
“What will you do when I am dead?”
He whispered in my ear.
When you are dead! O dreadful word
That pierced your mother's heart right through!
What would I do, O little Sword,
But die along with you!
That pierced your mother's heart right through!
What would I do, O little Sword,
But die along with you!
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