"My crimes were heavy; my doom is sure,
And I dread the anguish I must endure."
"Had you ever a child down there?"
"One—but it died, and I learnt despair."
"Here you will find it, behind the gate."
"God forbid! for it felt my hate—
"Shrunk in the frost of my cruelties.
More than the Judge's I fear its eyes."
"Hist! At the keyhole place your ear.
Sinner, what is the sound you hear?
"Is it ten thousand babes at play?
Heaven's nursery lies that way.
"Through it to judgment all must fare
It was God's pity placed it there."
The gate swung open; the sinner past;
Little hands caught and held him fast.
"While you wait the call of the Nameless One,
There's time for a game at 'Touch-and-Run'!"
He played with them there in that shining place,
With the hot tears scorching his furrowed face—