Yawcob Strauss and Other Poems/The Little Conqueror


 * "‘’Twas midnight; not a sound was heard
 * Within the'"—"Papa! won't 'ou 'ook
 * An' see my pooty 'ittle house?
 * I wis' 'ou wouldn't wead 'ou book"—


 * "'Within the palace, where the king
 * Upon his couch in anguish lay'"—
 * "Papa! Pa.-pa! I wis' 'ou'd tum
 * An' have a 'ittle tonty play"—


 * "'No gentle hand was there to bring
 * The cooling draught, or bathe his brow;
 * His courtiers and his pages gone'"—
 * "Turn, papa, turn ; I want 'ou now"—


 * Down goes the book with needless force,
 * And, with expression far from mild,
 * With sullen air and clouded brow,
 * I seat myself beside the child.


 * Her little trusting eyes of blue
 * With mute surprise gaze in my face,
 * As if in its expression stern
 * Reproof and censure she could trace.


 * Anon her little bosom heaves,
 * Her rosy lips begin to curl;
 * And with a quiv'ring chin she sobs,
 * "Papa don't 'uv' his 'ittle dirl!"


 * King, palace, book—all are forgot;
 * My arms are 'round my darling thrown-
 * The thunder-cloud has burst, and lo!
 * Tears fall and mingle with her own.