Last night, as my dear babe lay dead, <br />In agony I knelt and said: <br />"0 God! what have I done, <br />Or in what wise offended Thee, <br />That Thou should'st take away from me <br />My little son? <br /> <br />"Upon the thousand useless lives, <br />Upon the guilt that vaunting thrives, <br />Thy wrath were better spent! <br />Why should'st Thou take my little son - <br />Why should'st Thou vent Thy wrath upon <br />This innocent?" <br /> <br />Last night, as my dear babe lay dead, <br />Before mine eyes the vision spread <br />Of things that might have been: <br />Licentious riot, cruel strife, <br />Forgotten prayers, a wasted life <br />Dark red with sin! <br /> <br />Then, with sweet music in the air, <br />I saw another vision there: <br />A Shepherd in whose keep <br />A little lamb - my little child! <br />Of worldly wisdom undefiled, <br />Lay fast asleep! <br /> <br />Last night, as my dear babe lay dead, <br />In those two messages I read <br />A wisdom manifest; <br />And though my arms be childless now, <br />I am content - to Him I bow <br />Who knoweth best.<br /><br />Eugene Field<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-dead-babe/
