The Cupboard

Mother:

What's in that cupboard, Mary?

Mary:

Which cupboard, mother dear?

Mother:

The cupboard of red mahogany
With handles shining clear.

Mary:

That cupboard, dearest mother,
With shining crystal handles?
There's nought inside but rags and jags
And yellow tallow candles.

Mother:

What's in that cupboard, Mary?

Mary:

Which cupboard, mother mine?

Mother:

That cupboard stands in your sunny chamber,
The silver corners shine.

Mary:

There's nothing there inside, mother,
But wool and thread and flax,
And bits of faded silk and velvet
And candles of white wax.

Mother:

What's in that cupboard, Mary?
And this time tell me true.

Mary:

White clothes for an unborn baby, mother..
But what's the truth to you?