"Not a child: I call myself a boy," Says my king, with accent stern yet mild, "Not a child." How could reason be so far beguiled, Err so far from sense's safe employ, Stray so wide of truth, or run so wild? Seeing his face bent over book or toy, Child I called him, smiling: but he smiled Back, as one too high for vain annoy -- Not a child. II Not a child? alack the year! What should ail an undefiled Heart, that he would fain appear Not a child? Men, with years and memories piled Each on other, far and near, Fain again would so be styled: Fain would cast off hope and fear, Rest, forget, be reconciled: Why would you so fain be, dear, Not a child? III Child or boy, my darling, which you will, Still your praise finds heart and song employ, Heart and song both yearning toward you still, Child or boy. All joys else might sooner pall or cloy Love than this which inly takes its fill, Dear, of sight of your more perfect joy. Nay, be aught you please, let all fulfill All your pleasure; be your world your toy . Mild or wild we love you, loud or still, Child or boy. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO HELEN (1) by EDGAR ALLAN POE WRESTLING JACOB by CHARLES WESLEY THE WAITER AND THE ALLIGATOR by G. W. A. TWO SONNETS: 2 by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) THE COMPLETE MISANTHROPIST by MORRIS GILBERT BISHOP WRITTEN ON A GLOOMY DAY, IN SICKNESS. THACKWOOD, 4TH JUNE, 1786 by SUSANNA BLAMIRE |