A MEMORY ( From a sonnet-sequence )

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.