LV.

The boy had dropp’d to slumber at our feet;

“And I have lull’d him to his smiling rest

Once more!” she said. I raised him—it was sweet,

Yet sad, to see the perfect calm, which bless’d

His look that hour: for now her voice grew weak,

And on the flowery crimson of his cheek,

With her white lips, a long, long kiss she press’d,

Yet light, to wake him not. Then sank her head

Against my bursting heart. What did I clasp?—The dead!