Poor Little Children (Poem by Victor Hugo)

Poor Little Children

By Victor Hugo

Mother birdie stiff and cold,

    Puss has hushed the other's singing;

Winds go whistling o'er the wold, — 

    Empty nest in sport a-flinging.

        Poor little birdies!

Faithless shepherd strayed afar,

    Playful dog the gadflies catching;

Wolves bound boldly o'er the bar,

    Not a friend the fold is watching — 

        Poor little lambkins!

Father into prison fell,

    Mother begging through the parish;

Baby's cot they, too, will sell, — 

    Who will now feed, clothe and cherish?

        Poor little children!