Part 1 — THE DESIRE
Reading edition
Give me no mansions ivory white Nor palaces of pearl and gold; Give me a child for all delight, Just four years old.
Give me no wings of rosy shine Nor snowy raiment, fold on fold, Give me a little boy all mine, Just four years old.
Give me no gold and starry crown Nor harps, nor palm branches unrolled; Give me a nestling head of brown, Just four years old.
Give me a cheek that's like the peach, Two arms to clasp me from the cold; And all my heaven's within my reach, Just four years old.
Dear God, You give me from Your skies A little paradise to hold, As Mary once her Paradise, Just four years old.
Katherine Tynan Hinkson [1861-1931]