Somewhile before the dawn I rose, and stept
Softly along the dim way to your room,
And found you sleeping
in the quiet gloom,
And holiness about you as you slept.
I knelt there; till your waking fingers crept
About
my head, and held it. I had rest
Unhoped this side of Heaven, beneath your breast.
I knelt a long time,
still; nor even wept.
It was great wrong you did me; and for gain
Of that poor moment's kindliness, and ease,
And sleepy mother-
comfort!
Child, you know
How easily love leaps out to dreams like these,
Who has seen them true. And love that's wakened so
Takes
all too long to lay asleep again.