74
COUSIN ROBERT.
Would give—all that 's now mine to give—
To have you sitting there,
The cousin Robert of my youth—
Though beggar'd, with gray hair.
To have you sitting there,
The cousin Robert of my youth—
Though beggar'd, with gray hair.
O Robert, Robert, some that live
Are dead, long ere they arc old;
Better the pure heart of our youth
Than palaces of gold;
Are dead, long ere they arc old;
Better the pure heart of our youth
Than palaces of gold;
Better the blind faith of our youth
Than doubt, which all truth braves;
Better to mourn, God's children dear,
Than laugh, the Devil's slaves.
Than doubt, which all truth braves;
Better to mourn, God's children dear,
Than laugh, the Devil's slaves.
Robert, Robert, life is sweet,
And love is boundless gain:
Yet if I mind of you, my heart
Is stabbed with sudden pain:
And love is boundless gain:
Yet if I mind of you, my heart
Is stabbed with sudden pain:
And as in peace this Christmas eve
I close our quiet doors,
And kiss "good-night" on sleeping heads-
Such bonnie curls,—like yours:
I close our quiet doors,
And kiss "good-night" on sleeping heads-
Such bonnie curls,—like yours:
I fall upon my bended knees
With sobs that choke each word;—
"On those who err and are deceived
Have mercy, good Lord!"
With sobs that choke each word;—
"On those who err and are deceived
Have mercy, good Lord!"
