Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922.
Mother WeptJoseph Skipsey (18321903)
M
With delight aglow
Cried the lad, ‘To-morrow’, cried,
‘To the pit I go.’
Greeted old and young;
Far and wide the tidings spread;
Clapt his hands and sung.
Wrapp’d in wonder; some
Free with counsel; some with praise;
Some with envy dumb.
‘Be from peril kept.’
Father hid his face and sigh’d,
Mother turn’d and wept.