Page:Trees Kilmer.djvu/67

TREES AND OTHER POEMS

THE FOURTH SHEPHERD (continued) III

Poor vagabond, so old and mild,

Will they not keep him for a night?

And She, a woman great with child,

So frail and pitiful and white.

Good people, since the tavern door

Is shut to you, come here instead.

See, I have cleansed my stable floor

And piled fresh hay to make a bed.

Here is some milk and oaten cake.

Lie down and sleep and rest you fair,

Nor fear, O simple folk, to take

The bounty of a child of care.

[ 61 ]