Edith Matilda Thomas (Эдит Матильда Томас)
The Foundling
I The good man sat before the fire, And oftentimes he sighed; The good wife softly wept the while Her evening work she plied: One year ago this happy time The little Marie died! II "And surely, now, if she had lived, She would have reached my knee!" "And surely, now, if she had lived, How cunning would she be!" In fancy each a darling face Beside their hearth could see. III The door swung wide--a gust of wind The fitful candle blew; 'Twas Franz, the awkward stable-boy, His clattering step they knew. "But Franz, speak up, speak up, and tell What thing has chanced to you!" IV His round blue eyes with wonder shone, His bashful fears had fled: "I saw--I saw the cattle kneel Upon their strawy bed; And in a manger lay the Child-- A light shone round His head!" V "He must have dreamed," the good man said, "A vision, it would seem." "Nay, master, for the light shone bright On stall and loft and beam." Then said the good wife, "I, perhaps, Might go and dream this dream!" VI No further words, but forth she fared, With Franz to lead the way. They reached the barn, whose sagging door Shot out a yellow ray; The kine did kneel upon the straw, As truthful Franz did say! VII And there--oh, lovely, lovely sight, Oh, pleading, tender sight! Within a manger, lapped in hay, A smiling, rosy mite The good wife saw, and nearer held The lantern's yellow light. VIII She took the foundling in her arms, And on its sleeping face Her tears and kisses fell in one: "How great is Heaven's grace! It is the Christ-Child's gift to me, To ease the aching place!"
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