 | 'Twixt Kiss and Lip or Under the Sword. By the author of "Women Must Weep," [i.e. F. W. O. Ward] Third edition |  |
THE CHILDLESS LAND.
There is a world no mortal hand can paint,
With no abatement by the ages brought,
The direst hell whose dreams could sadden saint,
Or sinner drive to higher holier thought:
With no abatement by the ages brought,
The direst hell whose dreams could sadden saint,
Or sinner drive to higher holier thought:
The dolorous world where love is vainly sought,
And hearts for ever hunger and are faint;
Where every joy has yet a joyless taint,
And peace and kissing lips may not be bought.
And hearts for ever hunger and are faint;
Where every joy has yet a joyless taint,
And peace and kissing lips may not be bought.
It is a realm of dim and lonely lands,
Where waves of pleasure beat on sterile strands,
And yearnings of all young delight are pain;
Where waves of pleasure beat on sterile strands,
And yearnings of all young delight are pain;
Where chimes no sound of children's happy strain,
Nor thrills the touch of small caressing hands,
And mothers call but ever call in vain.
Nor thrills the touch of small caressing hands,
And mothers call but ever call in vain.
| 'Twixt Kiss and Lip or Under the Sword. By the author of "Women Must Weep," [i.e. F. W. O. Ward] Third edition | |