TO A SICK CHILD DURING THE SIEGE OF PARIS

 ("Si vous continuez toute pâle.") 
 
 {November, 1870.} 


 If you continue thus so wan and white; 
 If I, one day, behold 
 You pass from out our dull air to the light, 
 You, infant—I, so old: 
 If I the thread of our two lives must see 
 Thus blent to human view, 
 I who would fain know death was near to me, 
 And far away for you; 
 If your small hands remain such fragile things; 
 If, in your cradle stirred, 
 You have the mien of waiting there for wings, 
 Like to some new-fledged bird; 
 Not rooted to our earth you seem to be. 
 If still, beneath the skies, 
 You turn, O Jeanne, on our mystery 
 Soft, discontented eyes! 
 If I behold you, gay and strong no more; 
 If you mope sadly thus; 
 If you behind you have not shut the door, 
 Through which you came to us; 
 If you no more like some fair dame I see 
 Laugh, walk, be well and gay; 
 If like a little soul you seem to me 
 That fain would fly away— 
 I'll deem that to this world, where oft are blent 
 The pall and swaddling-band, 
 You came but to depart—an angel sent 
 To bear me from the land. 
 
 LUCY H. HOOPER. 


 

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