Void in Law

I.
Sleep, little babe, on my knee,
&nbspSleep, for the midnight is chill,
And the moon has died out in the tree,
&nbspAnd the great human world goeth ill.
Sleep, for the wicked agree:
&nbspSleep, let them do as they will.
&nbsp       &nbspSleep.

II.
Sleep, thou hast drawn from my breast
&nbspThe last drop of milk that was good;
And now, in a dream, suck the rest,
&nbspLest the real should trouble thy blood.
Suck, little lips dispossessed,
&nbspAs we kiss in the air whom we would.
&nbsp       &nbspSleep.

III.
O lips of thy father! the same,
&nbspSo like! Very deeply they swore
When he gave me his ring and his name,
&nbspTo take back, I imagined, no more!
And now is all changed like a game,
&nbspThough the old cards are used as of yore?
&nbsp       &nbspSleep.

IV.
“Void in law,” said the Courts. Something wrong
&nbspIn the forms? Yet, “Till death part us two,
I, James, take thee, Jessie,” was strong,
&nbspAnd One witness competent. True
Such a marriage was worth an old song,
&nbspHeard in Heaven though, as plain as the New.
&nbsp       &nbspSleep.

V.
Sleep, little child, his and mine!
&nbspHer throat has the antelope curve,
And her cheek just the colour and line
&nbspWhich fade not before him nor swerve:
Yet she has no child!—the divine
&nbspSeal of right upon loves that deserve.
&nbsp       &nbspSleep.

VI.
My child! though the world take her part,
&nbspSaying “She was the woman to choose;
He had eyes, was a man in his heart,”—
&nbspWe twain the decision refuse:
We ... weak as I am, as thou art, ...
&nbspCling on to him, never to loose.
&nbsp       &nbspSleep.

VII.
He thinks that, when done with this place,
&nbspAll’s ended? he’ll new-stamp the ore?
Yes, Cæsar’s—but not in our case.
&nbspLet him learn we are waiting before
The grave’s mouth, the heaven’s gate, God’s face
&nbspWith implacable love evermore.
&nbsp       &nbspSleep.

VIII.
He’s ours, though he kissed her but now,
&nbspHe’s ours, though she kissed in reply:
He’s ours, though himself disavow,
&nbspAnd God’s universe favour the lie;
Ours to claim, ours to clasp, ours below,
&nbspOurs above, ... if we live, if we die.
&nbsp       &nbspSleep.

IX.
Ah baby, my baby, too rough
&nbspIs my lullaby? What have I said?
Sleep! When I’ve wept long enough
&nbspI shall learn to weep softly instead,
And piece with some alien stuff
&nbspMy heart to lie smooth for thy head.
&nbsp       &nbspSleep.

X.
Two souls met upon thee, my sweet;
&nbspTwo loves led thee out to the sun:
Alas, pretty hands, pretty feet,
&nbspIf the one who remains (only one)
Set her grief at thee, turned in a heat
&nbspTo thine enemy,—were it well done?
&nbsp       &nbspSleep.

XI.
May He of the manger stand near
&nbspAnd love thee! An infant He came
To His own who rejected Him here,
&nbspBut the Magi brought gifts all the same.
I hurry the cross on my Dear!
&nbspMy gifts are the griefs I declaim!
&nbsp       &nbspSleep.