Poems (Greenwell)/In Sadness
IN SADNESS.
A child in sickness left behind its mates Upon a summer holiday, from tears Refrains himself a little while, and waits Perchance in hope to see some comrade kind Come back to play with him, but no! he hears Their voices die away, and up the hill Now, thinks he, they are climbing, now they wind Along the hedge-row path, and now they find The berries that o'erhang it; even now The red ripe nuts from off the hazel bough Are dropping fast, and then across the brook He hears them shouting to each other, through The alder-bushes. So his thoughts pursue Those wand'rers on their way, until his look Steals wistful to the sunshine, and his book Drops from his hand; what would he with that glad Free company 1 too weary for their glee,Too weak to join their sports—yet he is sad; Then comes his mother, lifting tenderly Her darling on her knee, and all his day Glides peaceful on, though none come back to play. The house is very still; none come between Their quiet talk, she smiles on him serene, He speaketh oft to her of those away; So, Father, I am left! I will not mourn To follow after them, so I may be The closer to thy heart;—so I am drawn Through stillness and through sadness nearer Thee!