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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ON THE DEATH OF TWO LITTLE CHILDREN by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER

First Line: AH! BITTER CHANCE! NO HAND THE BLOW COULD WARD!
Last Line: AND ONE LOW FUNERAL BELL SHALL BRING YE HOME!
Subject(s): DEATH - CHILDREN; DEATH - BABIES;

Ah! bitter chance! no hand the blow could ward!
Nor shield from harm her little guileless breast,
New to this perilous world, and daily prest
To a fond mother's heart; her lot seems hard;
But lo! her face is calm - a gentle tone
Seems murmuring from those lips that breathe no more,
'Come, little sister, marked for heaven before!
I crave that hand, yet smaller than mine own,
That baby-hand, to clasp again in mine!'
Sweet spirit! as thou wishest, it shall be;
Death drops his wing on younger heads than thine,
Though thine is of the youngest; soon to thee
The little sister of thy soul shall come
And one low funeral bell shall bring ye home!



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