The Poetical Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning Volume IV Part 25

"Is it our fault?" you reply, "When, throughout civilization, Every nation's empery Is a.s.serted by starvation?

XXV.

"All these mouths we cannot feed, And we cannot clothe these bodies."

Well, if man's so hard indeed, Let them learn at least what G.o.d is!

XXVI.

Little outcasts from life's fold, The grave's hope they may be joined in By Christ's covenant consoled For our social contract's grinding.

XXVII.

If no better can be done, Let us do but this,--endeavour That the sun behind the sun s.h.i.+ne upon them while they s.h.i.+ver!

XXVIII.

On the dismal London flags, Through the cruel social juggle, Put a thought beneath their rags To enn.o.ble the heart's struggle.

XXIX.

O my sisters, not so much Are we asked for--not a blossom From our children's nosegay, such As we gave it from our bosom,--

x.x.x.

Not the milk left in their cup, Not the lamp while they are sleeping, Not the little cloak hung up While the coat's in daily keeping,--

x.x.xI.

But a place in RAGGED SCHOOLS, Where the outcasts may to-morrow Learn by gentle words and rules Just the uses of their sorrow.

x.x.xII.

O my sisters! children small, Blue-eyed, wailing through the city-- Our own babes cry in them all: Let us take them into pity.

MAY'S LOVE.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Handwritten Copy of Poem]

I.

You love all, you say, Round, beneath, above me: Find me then some way Better than to love me, Me, too, dearest May!

II.

O world-kissing eyes Which the blue heavens melt to; I, sad, overwise, Loathe the sweet looks dealt to All things--men and flies.

III.

You love all, you say: Therefore, Dear, abate me Just your love, I pray!

Shut your eyes and hate me-- Only _me_--fair May!

AMY'S CRUELTY.

I.

Fair Amy of the terraced house, a.s.sist me to discover Why you who would not hurt a mouse Can torture so your lover.

II.

You give your coffee to the cat, You stroke the dog for coming, And all your face grows kinder at The little brown bee's humming.

III.

But when _he_ haunts your door ... the town Marks coming and marks going ...

You seem to have st.i.tched your eyelids down To that long piece of sewing!

IV.

You never give a look, not you, Nor drop him a "Good morning,"

To keep his long day warm and blue, So fretted by your scorning.

V.

She shook her head--"The mouse and bee For crumb or flower will linger: The dog is happy at my knee, The cat purrs at my finger.

VI.

"But _he_ ... to _him_, the least thing given Means great things at a distance; He wants my world, my sun, my heaven, Soul, body, whole existence.

VII.

"They say love gives as well as takes; But I'm a simple maiden,-- My mother's first smile when she wakes I still have smiled and prayed in.

VIII.

"I only know my mother's love Which gives all and asks nothing; And this new loving sets the groove Too much the way of loathing.

IX.

"Unless he gives me all in change, I forfeit all things by him: The risk is terrible and strange-- I tremble, doubt, ... deny him.