IN THE FIRELIGHT And as I hear my child's amen, My mother's faith comes back to meCrouched at her side I seem to be, And mother holds my hands again. 65 Oh, for an hour in that dear place- COBBLER AND STORK Cobbler. STORK, I am justly wroth, For thou hast wronged me sore: The ash roof-tree that shelters thee Shall shelter thee no more! Stork. Full fifty years I 've dwelt And long ago (as people know!) Speak out, I pray-then I 'll away, COBBLER AND STORK Cobbler. Thou tellest of the time When, wheeling from the west, This hut thou sought'st and one thou brought'st Unto a mother's breast. Was fetched that dismal morn- Still farther up the town, A king I 'd be of high degree, For yonder lives the prince Was brought that selfsame day: How happy he, while-look at me! I toil my life away! And see my little boy To what estate he 's born! Why, when I die no hoard leave I But poverty and scorn. And thou hast done it all 67 889 68 COBBLER AND STORK I might have been a king Stork. Since, cobbler, thou dost speak Of one thou lovest well, Hear of that king what grievous thing They well-belovéd played, A little one was laid; Thy well-belovéd's face Was rosy with delight, But 'neath that pall in yonder hall The little face is white; Whilst by a merry voice Thy soul is filled with cheer, One father hath his hope, COBBLER AND STORK And one is childless now; 69 He wears a crown and rules a town Only a cobbler thou! Wouldst thou exchange thy lot At price of such a woe? I'll nest no more above thy door, Cobbler. Nay, stork! thou shalt remain- Nor sacrifice at any price My darling and my own! Stork on my roof-tree bide, That, seeing thee anear, I'll thankful be God sent by thee Me and my darling here! |