"LITTLE, lonely shepherd lad, Wherefore do you weep?" "Sir, my father seeks a star; I must watch the sheep. "Very lonely is the plain Very high the star— Pray you, did you meet a lamb? One has wandered far." "Nay, I met no wandering lamb, Little shepherd lad; Is it but the lonely plain That has made you sad?" "Sir, my father and the rest Heard a heavenly sound; I heard nothing, save the sheep Bleating all around! "Wondrous things they heard and saw (Though the night was still) I saw nothing, save my lambs White against the hill. "Light was on my father's face When he went away, Fain I, too, had sought the star, But he bade me stay. " 'This high thing is not for you, Who art but a lad,' Said my father—that is why I at heart am sad." "Nay, my little shepherd lad," (Sweet the stranger smiled) "When your father finds the star He will find—a Child!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CHANGED WOMAN by LOUISE BOGAN WHAT I'VE BELIEVED IN by JAMES GALVIN EPITAPH FOR A SOLDIER by DAVID IGNATOW DOWN BY THE CARIB SEA: 1. SUNRISE IN THE TROPICS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON APPLES OF HESPERIDES by AMY LOWELL FREE FANTASIA ON JAPANESE THEMES by AMY LOWELL |