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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE UNIVERSE by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE

Poet Analysis

First Line: I HEARD A LITTLE CHILD BENEATH THE STARS
Last Line: FOND UNIVERSE ASLEEP!
Subject(s): SLEEP;

I heard a little child beneath the stars
Talk as he ran along
To some sweet riddle in his mind that seemed
A-tiptoe into song.

In his dark eyes lay a wild universe, --
Wild forests, peaks, and crests;
Angels and fairies, giants, wolves and he
Were that world's only guests.

Elsewhere was home and mother, his warm bed: --
Now, only God alone
Could, armed with all His power and wisdom, make
Earths richer than his own.

O Man! -- thy dreams, thy passions, hopes, desires! --
He in his pity keep
A homely bed where love may lull a child's
Fond Universe asleep!



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