Childhood.
("L'enfant chantait.") [Bk. I. xxiii., Paris, January, 1835.] The small child sang; the mother, outstretched on the low bed, With anguish moaned, - fair Form pain should possess not long; For, ever nigher, Death hovered around her head: I hearkened there this moan, and heard even there that song. The child was but five years, and, close to the lattice, aye Made a sweet noise with games and with his laughter bright; And the wan mother, aside this being the livelong day Carolling joyously, coughed hoarsely all the night. The mother went to sleep 'mong them that sleep alway; And the blithe little lad began anew to sing... Sorrow is like a fruit: God doth not therewith weigh Earthward the branch strong yet but for the blossoming. NELSON R. TYERMAN.
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"("L'enfant chantait.")..."
"Childhood." is a quintessential example of Victor-Marie Hugo's signature style... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...