Running at frightened speed; and it would fall

And rise, sobbing; and through the ghostly sleet

The cry came: 'Mother! Mother!' and she wist

The tender eyes were blinded by the mist,

And the rough stones were bruising the small feet.

And when she lifted a keen cry and clave

Forthright the gathering horror of the place,

Mad with her love and pity, a dark wave

Of clapping shadows swept about her face,

And beat her back, and when she gained her breath,