O THE night was dark and the night was late, And the robbers came to rob him; And they picked the locks of his palace-gate, The robbers that came to rob him -- They picked the locks of his palace-gate, Seized his jewels and gems of state, His coffers of gold and his priceless plate, -- The robbers that came to rob him. But loud he laughed he in the morning red! -- For of what had the robbers robbed him? -- Ho! hidden safe, as he slept in bed, When the robbers came to rob him, -- They robbed him not of a golden shred Of the childish dreams in his wise old head -- "And they're welcome to all things else," he said, When the robbers came to rob him. |