Shadow-Children

"Little shadows, little shadows,Dancing on the chamber wall,While I sit beside the hearthstoneWhere the red flames rise and fall.Caps and nightgowns, caps and nightgowns,My three antic shadows wear;And no sound they make in playing,For the six small feet are bare.

"Dancing gayly, dancing gayly,To and fro all together.Like a family of daisiesBlown about in windy weather;Nimble fairies, nimble fairies,Playing pranks in the warm glow,While I sing the nursery dittiesChildish phantoms love and know.

"Now what happens, now what happens?One small shadow's tumbled down:I can see it on the carpet,Softly rubbing its hurt crown.No one whimpers, no one whimpers;A brave-hearted sprite is this:See! the others offer comfortIn a silent, shadowy kiss.

"Hush! they're creeping; hush! they're creeping,Up about my rocking-chair:I can feel their loving fingersClasp my neck and touch my hair.Little shadows, little shadows.Take me captive, hold me tight,As they climb and cling and whisper,'Mother dear, good night! good night!'"