Page:Poems Allen.djvu/105

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GERTRUDIE.
93
GERTRUDIE.
BORN in the shadow of sorrow,
Cradled in mourning and sighs,
Golden hair sprinkled with tear-drops
Rained from her mother's sad eyes,—
Tear-drops more burning and bitter
That they are flowing in vain,
    Orphan Gertrudie,
Dear little fatherless baby,
Little bird out in the rain!

Baby! this world is so cruel
Why should you tempt it? Beware!
Wring the salt baptism of sorrow
Out of your soft yellow hair,
And, since you wandered from heaven,
Seek the bright pathway again,
    Orphan Gertrudie:
Go, ere the angels have missed you;
Fly away out of the rain!