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181

IN THE UNDERWOOD

“I fought you was quite gone away!”
He said, with blue eyes big with tears;
Then hugged and kissed my hands. I'll play
No more upon his childish fears.
For, as he frolicked through the wood,
I watched from leafy lurking-place,
And saw how, missing me, he stood
With startled eyes and working face.
And thought how soon the day will come,
When shadowed by the cypress-tree
I shall be very cold and dumb,
And he bereft of power to see.
And I, too stark to breathe or move,
Shall watch his piteous dismay,
And hear his sob of frightened love—
“Pappa!” grow faint and die away!