When all but her were sleeping fast,
And the night was nearly fled,
The little dead child came up the stair
And stood by his mother's bed.
"Ah, God!" she cried, "the nights are three,
And yet I have not slept!"
The little dead child he sat him down,
And sank his head and wept.
"And is it thou, my little dead child,
Come in from out the storm?
Ah, lie thou back against my heart,
And I will keep thee warm!"
_That is long ago, mother,_
_Long and long ago!_
_Shall I grow warm who lay three nights_
_Beneath the winter snow?_
* * * * *
"Hast thou not heard the old nurse weep?
She sings to us no more;
And thy brothers leave the broken toys
And whisper in the door."
_That is far away, mother,_
_Far and far away!_
_Above my head the stone is white._
_My hands forget to play._
* * * * *
"What wilt thou then, my little dead child,
Since here thou may'st not lie?
Ah, me! that snow should be thy sheet,
And winds thy lullaby!"
_Down within my grave, mother,_
_I heard, I know not how,_
_"Go up to God, thou little child,_
_Go up and meet him now!"_
_That is far to fare, mother,_
_Far and far to fare!_
_I come for thee to carry me_
_The way from here to there._
"Oh, hold thy peace, my little dead child.
My heart will break in me!
Thy way to God thou must go alone,
I may not carry thee!"
* * * * *
The cock crew out the early dawn
Ere she could stay her moan;
She heard the cry of a little child,
Upon his way alone.