Ruined and ill—a man of two score; br br Pretty and guileless—a girl of three. br br Not a boy—but still better than nothing: br br To soothe one’s feeling—from time to time a kiss! br br There came a day—they suddenly took her from me; br br Her soul’s shadow wandered I know not where. br br And when I remember how just at the time she died br br She lisped strange sounds, beginning to learn to talk, br br Then I know that the ties of flesh and blood br br Only bind us to a load of grief and sorrow. br br br br At last, by thinking of the time before she was born, br br By thought and reason I drove the pain away. br br Since my heart forgot her, many days have passed br br And three times winter has changed to spring.