George Barlow (1847-1914?). The Dead Child. Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. 1922. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse

Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922.

The Dead Child

By George Barlow (1847–1914?)


BUT yesterday she played with childish things,
With toys and painted fruit.
To-day she may be speeding on bright wings
Beyond the stars! We ask. The stars are mute.

But yesterday her doll was all in all;	5
She laughed and was content.
To-day she will not answer, if we call:
She dropp’d no toys to show the road she went.

But yesterday she smiled and ranged with art
Her playthings on the bed.	10
To-day and yesterday are leagues apart!
She will not smile to-day, for she is dead.