I went to see’r, I spent my money on her, And you who bore me paid the cost in pain. You went without to buy the clothes upon her: A hat, a locket, and a silver chain. O mother dear, if all might be again, Only from last October, you and me; O mother dear, how different it would be. We were so happy in the room together, Singing at "Binger-Bopper," weren’t us, just? And going a-hopping in the summer weather, And all the hedges covered white with dust, And blackberries, and that, and traveller’s trust. I thought her wronged, and true, and sweet, and wise, The devil takes sweet shapes when he tells lies. Mother, my dear, will you forgive your son?’ ’God knows I do, Jim, I forgive you, dear; You didn’t know, and couldn’t, what you done. God pity all poor people suffering here, And may His mercy shine upon us clear, And may we have His Holy Word for mark, To lead us to His Kingdom through the dark.’ ’Amen.’ ’Amen,’ said Jimmy; then they kissed. The warders watched, the little larks were singing, A plough team jangled, turning at the rist; Beyond, the mild cathedral bells were ringing, The elm-tree rooks were cawing at the springing: O beauty of the time when winter’s done, And all the fields are laughing at the sun! ’I s’pose they’ve brought the line beyond the Knapp?’ ’Ah, and beyond the Barcle, so they say.’ ’Hearing the rooks begin reminds a chap. Look queer, the street will, with the lock away; O God, I’ll never see it.’ ’Let us pray. Don’t think of that, but think,’ the mother said, ’Of men going on long after we are dead. Red helpless little things will come to birth, And hear the whistles going down the line, And grow up strong and go about the earth, And have much happier times than yours and mine; And some day one of them will get a sign, And talk to folk, and put an end to sin, And then God’s blessed kingdom will begin. God dropped a spark down into everyone, And if we find and fan it to a blaze It’ll spring up and glow like--like the sun, And light the wandering out of stony ways. God warms His hands at man’s heart when he prays, And light of prayer is spreading heart to heart; It’ll light all where now it lights a part. And God who gave His mercies takes His mercies, And God who gives beginning gives the end. I dread my death; but it’s the end of curses, A rest for broken things too broke to mend. O Captain Christ, our blessed Lord and Friend, We are two wandered sinners in the mire, Burn our dead hearts with love out of Thy fire. And when thy death comes, Master, let us bear it As of Thy will, however hard to go; Thy Cross is infinite for us to share it, Thy help is infinite for us to know. And when the long trumpets of the Judgment blow May our poor souls be glad and meet agen, And rest in Thee.’ ’Say, "Amen," Jim.’ ’Amen.’ * * * * *