Page:Poems Craik.djvu/92

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74
COUSIN ROBERT.
Would give—all that 's now mine to give—
To have you sitting there,
The cousin Robert of my youth—
Though beggar'd, with gray hair.

O Robert, Robert, some that live
Are dead, long ere they arc old;
Better the pure heart of our youth
Than palaces of gold;

Better the blind faith of our youth
Than doubt, which all truth braves;
Better to mourn, God's children dear,
Than laugh, the Devil's slaves.

Robert, Robert, life is sweet,
And love is boundless gain:
Yet if I mind of you, my heart
Is stabbed with sudden pain:

And as in peace this Christmas eve
I close our quiet doors,
And kiss "good-night" on sleeping heads-
Such bonnie curls,—like yours:

I fall upon my bended knees
With sobs that choke each word;—
"On those who err and are deceived
Have mercy, good Lord!"