New songs of innocence :: :: University of Virginia Library

‘Good-bye!’ says Willie, and sets off quick
Down the long green sloping lawn,
Brave little pilgrim! with grandfather's stick,
And rosy lips tight drawn.
‘Good-bye again!’ he stops to call
From the nearest bush's base—
To him it's a spreading oak-tree tall,
And beyond it unexplored space.

Sturdily, cheerily on he goes,
Singing, though out of sight,
Bound to conquer his baby foes
With all his baby might.
Foes enough there are in the field—
Loneliness, fear, fatigue
First to my young knight-errant yield
In all their triple league.

Back he comes again, singing still,
And lays his head on my knee—
With all his winnings my own little Will,
And safe to come back to me.

My fair white dove, must I send you out
Still further into the world,
To smirch with sorrow, and sin, and doubt,
These wings so safely furled?

Yes, go, my bird; go forth and fly
When your wings are fully grown;
Be yours the freedom of the sky,
The strength to soar alone.
Nor earthly ill, nor pain, nor smart
Can sully that fair broad brow,
So long as you keep the innocent heart
That sings within you now.