False Play
“Do you love me?” asked the mother of her child,
And the baby answered, “No!”
Great Love listened and sadly smiled;
He knew the love in the heart of the child—
That you could not wake it so.
“Do not love me?” the foolish mother cried,
And the baby answered, “No!”
He knew the worth of the trick she tried—
Great Love listened, and grieving, sighed
That the mother scorned him so.
“Oh, poor mama!” and she played her part
Till the baby’s strength gave way:
He knew it was false in his inmost heart,
But he could not bear that her tears should start,
So he joined in the lying play.
“Then love mama!” and the soft lips crept
To the kiss that his love should show,—
The mouth to speak while the spirit slept!
Great Love listened, and blushed, and wept
That they blasphemed him so.