1700-1702 br br Oft in midnight visions br Ghostly by my bed br Stands a Father's image, br Pale discrowned head:-- br --I forsook thee, Father! br Was no child to thee! br Child-forsaken Mother, br Now 'tis so with me. br br Oft I see the brother, br Baby born to woe, br Crouching by the church-wall br From the bloodhound-foe. br Evil crown'd of evil, br Heritage of strife! br Mine, an heirless sceptre: br His, an exile life! br br --O my vanish'd darlings, br From the cradle torn! br Dewdrop lives, that never br Saw their second morn! br Buds that fell untimely,-- br Till one blossom grew; br As I watch'd its beauty, br Fading whilst it blew. br br Thou wert more to me, Love, br More than words can tell: br All my remnant sunshine br Died in one farewell. br Midnight-mirk before me br Now my life goes by, br For the baby faces br As in vain I cry. br br O the little footsteps br On the nursery floor! br Lispings light and laughter br I shall hear no more! br Eyes that gleam'd at waking br Through their silken bars; br Starlike eyes of children, br Now beyond the stars! br br Where the murder'd Mary br Waits the rising sign, br They are laid in darkness, br Little lambs of mine.