Dolls

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h3> THE DOLLS </h3> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <p class="i2"> A doll in the doll-maker's house</p> <p class="i2"> Looks at the cradle and balls:</p> <p class="i2"> 'That is an insult to us.'</p> <p class="i2"> But the oldest of all the dolls</p> <p class="i2"> Who had seen, being kept for show,</p> <p class="i2"> Generations of his sort,</p> <p class="i2"> Out-screams the whole shelf: 'Although</p> <p class="i2"> There's not a man can report</p> <p class="i2"> Evil of this place,</p> <p class="i2"> The man and the woman bring</p> <p class="i2"> Hither to our disgrace,</p> <p class="i2"> A noisy and filthy thing.'</p> <p class="i2"> Hearing him groan and stretch</p> <p class="i2"> The doll-maker's wife is aware</p> <p class="i2"> Her husband has heard the wretch,</p> <p class="i2"> And crouched by the arm of his chair,</p> <p class="i2"> She murmurs into his ear,</p> <p class="i2"> Head upon shoulder leant:</p> <p class="i2"> 'My dear, my dear, oh dear,</p> <p class="i2"> It was an accident.'</p> </div> </div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />