A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields/Chanson (Les Châtiments, Victor Hugo)
For works with similar titles, see Chanson.
The female? She is dead.
The male? The cat has fed
On his flesh and his bone.
To the nest which will come?
Oh, poor birdlings, be dumb!
But they moan, the weak things, and they moan.
The shepherd? Gone or fled.
The dog? Killed, and instead
The wolf prowling alone.
He peers in,—Ho, I come!
He may pity, hope some:
Oh, poor lambs, the wolf's heart is of stone.
The man? To prison led.
The mother? Sick a-bed
In a workhouse is thrown.
It is cold—will she come?
They cry—cry for a crumb,
Poor children! And no mercy is shown.