Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Coventry Patmore. 18231896761. ‘If I were dead’
‘IF I were dead, you’d sometimes say, Poor Child!’ | |
The dear lips quiver’d as they spake, | |
And the tears brake | |
From eyes which, not to grieve me, brightly smiled. | |
Poor Child, poor Child! | 5 |
I seem to hear your laugh, your talk, your song. | |
It is not true that Love will do no wrong. | |
Poor Child! | |
And did you think, when you so cried and smiled, | |
How I, in lonely nights, should lie awake, | 10 |
And of those words your full avengers make? | |
Poor Child, poor Child! | |
And now, unless it be | |
That sweet amends thrice told are come to thee, | |
O God, have Thou no mercy upon me! | 15 |
Poor Child! |