The Poetical Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Volume II

XI.

She so had prayed: and God, who hears Through seraph-songs the sound of tears From that belovèd babe had ta'en The fever and the beating pain. And more and more smiled Isobel To see the baby sleep so well, (She knew not that she smiled, I wis) Until the pleasant gradual thought Which near her heart the smile enwrought, Now soft and slow, itself did seem To float along a happy dream, Beyond it into speech like this.

XII.

"I prayed for thee, my little child, And God has heard my prayer! And when thy babyhood is gone, We two together undefiled By men's repinings, will kneel down Upon His earth which will be fair (Not covering thee, sweet!) to us twain, And give Him thankful praise."

XIII.

Dully and wildly drives the rain: Against the lattices drives the rain.

XIV.

"I thank Him now, that I can think Of those same future days, Nor from the harmless image shrink Of what I there might see-- Strange babies on their mothers' knee, Whose i