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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SAINT ELIZABETH OF BOHEMIA: 2; SONNET by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK

First Line: A YEAR AGO I BADE MY LITTLE SON
Last Line: TILL AT HEAVEN'S GOLDEN DOORS WE TWO LEAP HEART TO HEART.

A YEAR ago I bade my little son
Bear upon pilgrimage a heavy load
Of alms; he cried, half-fainting on the road,
"Mother, O mother, would the day were done!"
Him I reproved with tears, and said, "Go on!
Nor pause nor murmur till thy task be o'er." --
Would not God say to me the same, and more?
I will not sing that song. Thou, dearest one,
Husband -- no, brother! -- stretch thy steadfast hand
And let mine grasp it. Now, I also stand,
My woman weakness nerved to strength like thine;
We'll quaff life's aloe-cup as if 't were wine
Each to the other; journeying on apart,
Till at heaven's golden doors we two leap heart to heart.



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