| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| Songs from “Prince Lucifer.” II. Mother-Song |
| | | Alfred Austin (1835–1913) |
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| WHITE little hands! | |
| Pink little feet! | |
| Dimpled all over, | |
| Sweet, sweet, sweet! | |
| What dost thou wail for? | 5 |
| The unknown? the unseen? | |
| The ills that are coming, | |
| The joys that have been? | |
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| Cling to me closer, | |
| Closer and closer, | 10 |
| Till the pain that is purer | |
| Hath banish’d the grosser. | |
| Drain, drain at the stream, love, | |
| Thy hunger is freeing, | |
| That was born in a dream, love, | 15 |
| Along with thy being! | |
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| Little fingers that feel | |
| For their home on my breast, | |
| Little lips that appeal | |
| For their nurture, their rest! | 20 |
| Why, why dost thou weep, dear? | |
| Nay, stifle thy cries, | |
| Till the dew of thy sleep, dear, | |
| Lies soft on thine eyes. | |
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