I. br br I NEVER lay me down to sleep at night br But in my heart I sing that little song: br The angels hear it as, a pitying throng, br They touch my burning lids with fingers bright br As moonbeams, pale, impalpable, and light: br And when my daily pious tasks are done, br And all my patient prayers said one by one, br God hears it. Seems it sinful in His sight br That round my slow burnt-offering of quenched will br One quivering human sigh creeps wind-like still? br That when my orisons celestial fail br Rises one note of natural human wail? br Dear lord, spouse, hero, martyr, saint! erelong, br I trust, God will forgive my singing that poor song. br br br II. br br A YEAR ago I bade my little son br Bear upon pilgrimage a heavy load br Of alms; he cried, half-fainting on the road, br 'Mother, O mother, would the day were done!' br Him I reproved with tears, and said, 'Go on! br Nor pause nor murmur till thy task be o'er.'-- br Would not God say to me the same, and more? br I will not sing that song. Thou, dearest one, br Husband--no, brother!--stretch thy steadfast hand br And let mine grasp it. Now, I also stand, br My woman weakness nerved to strength like thine; br We'll quaff life's aloe-cup as if 't were wine br Each to the other; journeying on apart, br Till at heaven's golden doors we two leap heart to heart.