<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">The Tears</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Amid</span> the Alleluias</p><p class="line">Small bliss of Heaven he had, alas!</p><p class="line">Because her tears ran down like rain</p><p class="line">And turned his blessing into bane.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Oh, who is it doth weep and weep,</p><p class="line">When I would run, when I would leap,</p><p class="line">With all my blithe companions?</p><p class="line">Whose rain of tears puts out the suns?</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">The others go in gold, in white,</p><p class="line">In the green bowers they have delight;</p><p class="line">They take their pleasure and their play</p><p class="line">After the bitter yesterday.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">They have new garments of the silk,</p><p class="line">Red as a rose and white as milk;</p><p class="line">But ever on my own there lies</p><p class="line">A rain of tears puts out the skies.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">O mother, mother, do not weep!</p><p class="line">Fain would I run, fain would I leap;</p><p class="line">And of my youth would have great bliss,</p><p class="line">But that your tears give little ease.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">O mother, mother, do not mourn!</p><p class="line">Because your small tears and forlorn</p><p class="line">Put out Heaven's candles, trickling through,</p><p class="line">And chill me as with bitter dew.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Amid the Alleluias</p><p class="line">Small joy of Heaven he had, alas!</p><p class="line">From all the bliss of Heaven apart,</p><p class="line">Because her tears fell on his heart.</p></div></body></html> · Great War