The Home Book of Verse 72 – Stevenson · Verses Across
Literature · Romance
The Home Book of Verse 72Part 2 · The Birth-Bond
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Literature · Romance
The Home Book of Verse 72
Part 2 · The Birth-Bond
StevensonEnglish
Have you not noted, in some family
Where two were born of a first marriage-bed,
How still they own their gracious bond, though fed
And nursed on the forgotten breast and knee? -
How to their father's children they shall be
In act and thought of one goodwill; but each
Shall for the other have, in silence speech,
And in a word complete community?
Even so, when first I saw you, seemed it, love,
That among souls allied to mine was yet
One nearer kindred than life hinted of.
O born with me somewhere that men forget,
And though in years of sight and sound unmet,
Known for my soul's birth-partner well enough!
