SCENE XXIV.--_The country-churchyard_. JULIAN _standing by_ LILY'S

_new-filled grave. He looks very worn and ill_.

_Julian_.

Now I can leave thee safely to thy sleep;

Thou wilt not wake and miss me, my fair child!

Nor will they, for she's fair, steal this ewe-lamb

Out of this fold, while I am gone to seek

And find the wandering mother of my lamb.

I cannot weep; I know thee with me still.

Thou dost not find it very dark down there?

Would I could go to thee; I long to go;

My limbs are tired; my eyes are sleepy too;

And fain my heart would cease this beat, beat, beat.

O gladly would I come to thee, my child,

And lay my head upon thy little heart,

And sleep in the divine munificence

Of thy great love! But my night has not come;

She is not rescued yet. Good-bye, little one.

[_He turns, but sinks on the grave. Recovering and rising_.]

Now for the world--that's Italy, and her!

The poetical works of George MacDonald in two volumes — Volume 1 · 第 24 / 27 章