William Barnes (1801–1886)

I’D a dream to-night

As I fell asleep,

O! the touching sight

Makes me still to weep:

Of my little lad,

Gone to leave me sad,

Ay, the child I had,

But was not to keep.

As in heaven high,

I my child did seek,

There in train came by

Children fair and meek,

Each in lily white,

With a lamp alight;

Each was clear to sight,

But they did not speak.

Then, a little sad,

Came my child in turn,

But the lamp he had,

O it did not burn!

He, to clear my doubt,

Said, half turn’d about,

‘Your tears put it out;

Mother, never mourn.’