As Ann came in one summer's day, br She felt that she must creep, br So silent was the clear cool house, br It seemed a house of sleep. br And sure, when she pushed open the door, br Rapt in the stillness there, br Her mother sat, with stooping head, br Asleep upon a chair; br Fast -- fast asleep; her two hands laid br Loose-folded on her knee, br So that her small unconscious face br Looked half unreal to be: br So calmly lit with sleep's pale light br Each feature was; so fair br Her forehead -- every trouble was br Smooth'd out beneath her hair. br br But though her mind in dream now moved, br Still seemed her gaze to rest br From out beneath her fast-sealed lids, br Above her moving breast, br On Ann, as quite, quite still she stood; br Yet slumber lay so deep br Even her hands upon her lap br Seemed saturate with sleep. br And as Ann peeped, a cloudlike dread br Stole over her, and then, br On stealthy, mouselike feet she trod, br And tiptoed out again.