They lifted her from out her wat'ry bed-- Its covering gone, the lonely little head Hung like a broken snowdrop all aside-- And one small hand. The mother's shawl was tied, Leaving _that_ free, about the child's small form, As was her last injunction--"_fast_ and warm"-- Too well obeyed--too fast! A fatal hold Affording to the scrag by a thick fold That caught and pinn'd her in the river's bed, While through the reckless water overhead Her life-breath bubbled up. "She might have lived Struggling like Lizzy," was the thought that rived The wretched mother's heart when she knew all. "But for my foolishness about that shawl-- And Master would have kept them back the day; But I was wilful--driving them away In such wild weather!" Thus the tortured heart, Unnaturally against itself takes part, Driving the sharp edge deeper of a woe Too deep already. They had raised her now, And parting the wet ringlets from her brow, To that, and the cold cheek, and lips as cold, The father glued his warm ones, ere they roll'd Once more the fatal shawl--her winding-sheet-- About the precious clay. One heart still beat, Warm'd by _his heart's_ blood. To his _only child_ He turn'd him, but her piteous moaning mild Pierced him afresh--and now she knew him not.-- "Mother!"--she murmur'd--"who says I forgot? Mother! indeed, indeed, I kept fast hold, And tied the shawl quite close--she can't be cold-- But she won't move--we slipt--I don't know how-- But I held on--and I'm so weary now-- And it's so dark and cold! oh dear! oh dear!-- And she won't move--if daddy was but here!" * * * * * Poor lamb--she wander'd in her mind, 'twas clear-- But soon the piteous murmur died away, And quiet in her father's arms she lay-- They their dead burthen had resign'd, to take The living so near lost. For her dear sake, And one at home, he arm'd himself to bear His misery like a man--with tender care, Doffing his coat her shivering form to fold-- (His neighbour bearing _that_ which felt no cold,) He clasp'd her close--and so, with little said, Homeward they bore the living and the dead.