Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.
Austin Dobson 1840–1921“Good-Night, Babette!”
Dobson-AS
M
M. V
Day of my life! Where can she get?
Babette! I say! Babette!—Babette!
Coming, M’sieu’! If M’sieu’ speaks
So loud, he won’t be well for weeks!
Where have you been?
Why, M’sieu’ knows:—
April!… Ville-d’ Avray!… Ma’am’selle Rose!
Ah! I am old,—and I forget.
Was the place growing green, Babette?
But of a greenness!—yes, M’sieu’!
And then the sky so blue!—so blue!—
And when I dropped my immortelle,
How the birds sang![Lifting her apron to her eyes.
This poor Ma’am’selle!
You ’re a good girl, Babette, but she,—
She was an Angel, verily.
Sometimes I think I see her yet
Stand smiling by the cabinet;
And once, I know, she peeped and laughed
Betwixt the curtains…
Where ’s the draught?[She gives him a cup.
Now I shall sleep, I think, Babette;—
Sing me your Norman chansonnette.
Once at the Angelus
(Ere I was dead),
Angels all glorious
Came to my Bed;—
Angels in blue and white
Crowned on the Head.
She was an Angel … Once she laughed…
What, was I dreaming?
Where ’s the draught?
The draught, M’sieu’?
How I forget!
I am so old! But sing, Babette!
One was the Friend I left
Stark in the Snow;
One was the Wife that died
Long,—long ago;
One was the Love I lost …
How could she know?
Ah, Paul!… old Paul!… Eulalie too!
And Rose … And O!… the sky so blue!
One had my Mother’s eyes,
Wistful and mild;
One had my Father’s face;
One was a Child:
All of them bent to me,—
Bent down and smiled!
How I forget!
I am so old … Good night, Babette!