Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.

William Barnes. 1801–1886

658. Mater Dolorosa

I’D a dream to-night
As I fell asleep,
O! the touching sight
Makes me still to weep:
Of my little lad,	5
Gone to leave me sad,
Ay, the child I had,
But was not to keep.
As in heaven high,
I my child did seek,	10
There in train came by
Children fair and meek,
Each in lily white,
With a lamp alight;
Each was clear to sight,	15
But they did not speak.
Then, a little sad,
Came my child in turn,
But the lamp he had,
O it did not burn!	20
He, to clear my doubt,
Said, half turn’d about,
‘Your tears put it out;
Mother, never mourn.’