Classic Poem

See, how she lies — as humbly as a child;
My little child, whom Death hath given back,
Brushing away the years of womanhood
And bringing to her face the baby look
That overflowed my heart with wordless tears
As I would watch beside her cradle-bed.

One night — dear God! it seems but yesternight!
I mind I sat beside her even thus,
Grieving that I had somewhat sternly chid
A baby disobedience of the day.
She was asleep, but yet the mark of tears
Was on her face, and just around her lips
Now and again a little quiver came,
Even as she slept, and half-remembered sobs
Caught in her breath — for so she fell asleep,
Lonely and crying, feeling unforgiven.
And oh! with what a choking pain of love
I wakened her, with kisses and with clasp
So hot and strained I thought they must have hurt —
But she, all happy, nestled to my cheek
And sighed contentedly, and slept again.
But now — ah God! she lies once more asleep —
Asleep so fast I may not call her back
To say she is forgiven; for she has sinned —
So the world says — and gone with all her sin,
The pain of it, the sobs, the tears, the stain,
Marring her face; and in her heart the pain
Of being unforgiven before she died.

A child, great God, an erring little child!
See! Is Thy heart less pitiful than mine
That thou canst steel it to a sobbing child?
Think, Lord, how hard for human flesh and blood
To keep Thy laws, so high, so far, so pure!
So hard — so very hard! For she was fair;
Thou gav'st her beauty — more than many have —
And with it life, and strong desire of love,
A heart too swift to see what way it leaped.
Ah God! can human bodies, hot with life,
Ne'er melt the icy barrier of the law
And be forgiven? 'Twas not her soul that sinned —
'Twas but the flesh that she hath left behind.
What — send her living soul to endless Hell
For weakness of the flesh that lives a day?
The small commands I laid upon the child
Were light to mind — but I forgave her, Lord,
For every fault. And now wilt Thou condemn
Because she broke a law so hard to keep?
See, Lord — one night was more than I could bear
To have my baby banished to the dark
In unforgiveness. Is Thy mercy less,
Thy love content, with her in endless night?
Ah, look, dear God! her face is marred with tears,
And with forgiveness she would turn to Thee
And smile, and nestle gladly in Thy arms!
I cannot bear it, but will strive with Thee
As Jacob did, until Thou stoop and bless.
And if Thou wilt not, ere the morning break,
Then human love will challenge the divine;
And in the darkness, wheresoe'er she wake,
There will I be, and clasp her hand in mine!