Poems by Victor Hugo - HTML preview

POOR LITTLE CHILDREN.

("La femelle! elle est morte.")
     {Bk. I. xiii., Jersey, February, 1853.}

Mother birdie stiff and cold,
       Puss has hushed the other's singing;
     Winds go whistling o'er the wold,—
       Empty nest in sport a-flinging.
           Poor little birdies!

     Faithless shepherd strayed afar,
       Playful dog the gadflies catching;
     Wolves bound boldly o'er the bar,
       Not a friend the fold is watching—
           Poor little lambkins!

     Father into prison fell,
       Mother begging through the parish;
     Baby's cot they, too, will sell,—
       Who will now feed, clothe and cherish?
           Poor little children!