Some, too fragile for winter winds 1
The thoughtful grave encloses－
Tenderly tucking them in from frost
Before their feet are cold.
Never the treasures in her nest 5
The cautious grave exposes,
Building where schoolboy dare not look,
And sportsman is not bold.
This covert have all the children 9
Early aged, and often cold,
Sparrow, unnoticed by the Father－
Lambs for whom time had not a fold.
The thoughtful grave encloses－
Tenderly tucking them in from frost
Before their feet are cold.
Never the treasures in her nest 5
The cautious grave exposes,
Building where schoolboy dare not look,
And sportsman is not bold.
This covert have all the children 9
Early aged, and often cold,
Sparrow, unnoticed by the Father－
Lambs for whom time had not a fold.
(F.91/J.141)
[1] Some, fragile:: orphans.
[2] grave:: a solemn, bleak place. thoughtful grave:: an orphanage.
[3, 4] frost, cold:: a place accepting orphans.
[5] Never the treasures:: orphans.
[6] cautious grave:: a heedful but solemn place.
[9] covert, children:: a shelter for children is an orphanage.
[10] Early aged, cold:: a hint on orphant.
[11] Sparrows, unnoticed, Father:: creatures unnoticed by God: "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?" (Matthew 10:29)
[12] fold:: an enclosure of any kind; a dwelling (OED 1d); an orphanage.