Nature

As a fond mother, when the day is o'er,
Leads by the hand her little child to bed,
Half willing, half reluctant to be led,
And leave his broken playthings on the floor,
Still gazing at them through the open door,
Nor wholly reassured and comforted
By promises of others in their stead,
Which though more splendid, may not please him more;
So Nature deals with us, and takes away
Our playthings one by one, and by the hand
Leads us to rest so gently, that we go
Scarce knowing if we wish to go or stay,
Being too full of sleep to understand
How far the unknown transcends the what we know.

About Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

American poet and educator whose works include "Paul Revere's Ride" and "The Song of Hiawatha." One of the most popular American poets of the 19th century.

More poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

View all Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poems →

More Life & Death poems

View all Life & Death poems →