Henry Wadsworth Longfellow — Forsaken

Something the heart must have to cherish,        &nbsp Must love and joy and sorrow learn, Something with passion clasp or perish,        &nbsp And in itself to ashes burn. So to this child my heart is clinging,        &nbsp And its frank eyes, with look intense, Me from a world of sin are bringing        &nbsp Back to a world of innocence. Disdain must thou endure forever;        &nbsp Strong may thy heart in danger be! Thou shalt not fail! but ah, be never        &nbsp False as thy father was to me. Never will I forsake thee, faithless,        &nbsp And thou thy mother ne'er forsake, Until her lips are white and breathless,        &nbsp Until in death her eyes shall break.