 | Songs of Doubt and Dream (Poems) |  |
VIII.—Babes in the Wood.
She had two little babes, a boy and girl,
Two little babes that are not with her now.
On one bright brow full golden fell the curl,
The curl fell chestnut-brown on one bright brow.
Two little babes that are not with her now.
On one bright brow full golden fell the curl,
The curl fell chestnut-brown on one bright brow.
She loves to dream of them that some soft day,
While wandering far from home, their fitful feet
Went heedlessly along some woodland way
Where shine and shade harmoniously meet;
While wandering far from home, their fitful feet
Went heedlessly along some woodland way
Where shine and shade harmoniously meet;
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And that they wandered deeper and more deep
Into the forest's fragrant heart and fair,
Till just at evenfall they dropped asleep,
And ever since they have been slumbering there.
Into the forest's fragrant heart and fair,
Till just at evenfall they dropped asleep,
And ever since they have been slumbering there.
After their wilful truantry, that day,
Each is so tired it does not wake at all,
And over them the boughs that sigh and sway,
Conspire to make perpetual evenfall.
Each is so tired it does not wake at all,
And over them the boughs that sigh and sway,
Conspire to make perpetual evenfall.
And she, that must not join them, still is blest,
However passionately her poor heart grieves;
For memories, like sweet birds at her behest,
Have covered them with tender thoughts, like leaves!
However passionately her poor heart grieves;
For memories, like sweet birds at her behest,
Have covered them with tender thoughts, like leaves!
| Songs of Doubt and Dream (Poems) | |