| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
| |
| William Barnes. 1801–1886 |
| |
| 658. Mater Dolorosa |
| |
| I'D a dream to-night | |
| As I fell asleep, | |
| O! the touching sight | |
| Makes me still to weep: | |
| Of my little lad, | 5 |
| Gone to leave me sad, | |
| Ay, the child I had, | |
| But was not to keep. | |
| |
| As in heaven high, | |
| I my child did seek, | 10 |
| There in train came by | |
| Children fair and meek, | |
| Each in lily white, | |
| With a lamp alight; | |
| Each was clear to sight, | 15 |
| But they did not speak. | |
| |
| Then, a little sad, | |
| Came my child in turn, | |
| But the lamp he had, | |
| O it did not burn! | 20 |
| He, to clear my doubt, | |
| Said, half turn'd about, | |
| 'Your tears put it out; | |
| Mother, never mourn.' | |
|
|
