Я повторил пять раз подряд: 'Скажи мне, отчего?' Вдруг поднял голову малыш, И, ярким блеском привлечен, Увидел на одной из крыш Сверкавший флюгер он. И миг спустя его ответ, Столь долгожданный, был таков: 'Все дело в том, что в Кильве нет Вот этих петухов'. Я стать мудрей бы не мечтал, Когда, мой дорогой сынок, Тому, что от тебя узнал, Сам научить бы мог.
WE ARE SEVEN
— A simple Child, That lightly draws its breath, And feels its life in every limb, What should it know of death? I met a little cottage Girl: She was eight years old, she said; Her hair was thick with many a curl That clustered round her head. She had a rustic, woodland air, And she was wildly clad: Her eyes were fair, and very fair; — Her beauty made me glad. 'Sisters and brothers, little Maid, How many may you be?' 'How many? Seven in all,' she said And wondering looked at me. 'And where are they? I pray you tell. She answered, 'Seven are we; And two of us at Conway dwell, And two are gone to sea. 'Two of us in the church-yard lie, My sister and my brother; And, in the church-yard cottage, I Dwell near them with my mother.' 'You say that two at Conway dwell, And two are gone to sea, Yet ye are seven! — I pray you tell, Sweet Maid, how this may be.' Then did the little Maid reply, 'Seven boys and girls are we; Two of us in the church-yard lie, Beneath the church-yard tree.' 'You run about, my little Maid, Your limbs they are alive; If two are in the church-yard laid, Then ye are only five.' 'Their graves are green, they may be seen,' The little Maid replied, 'Twelve steps or more from my mother's door, And they are side by side. 'My stockings there I often knit, My kerchief there I hem; And there upon the ground I sit, And sing a song to them. 'And often after sunset, Sir, When it is light and fair, I take my little porringer, And eat my supper there.
