George MacDonald - The poetical works of George MacDonald in two volumes — Volume 1

Lily .
Swine ! Oh!

Julian .
Yes, swine: 'twas all that he could do;
And he was glad to eat some of their food.

But at the last, hunger and waking love
Made him remember his old happy home.
"How many servants in my father's house
Have plenty, and to spare!" he said. "I'll go
And say, 'I have done very wrong, my father;
I am not worthy to be called your son;
Put me among your servants, father, please.'"
Then he rose up and went; but thought the road
So much, much farther to walk back again,
When he was tired and hungry. But at last
He saw the blue top of the great big hill
That stood beside his father's house; and then
He walked much faster. But a great way off,
His father saw him coming, lame and weary
With his long walk; and very different
From what he had been. All his clothes were hanging
In tatters, and his toes stuck through his shoes—

Lily ( sobbing ). Like that poor beggar I saw yesterday?

Julian .
Yes, my dear child.

Lily .
And was he dirty too?

Julian .
Yes, very dirty; he had been so long
Among the swine.

Lily .
Is it all true though, father?

Julian .
Yes, my darling; all true, and truer far
Than you can think.

Lily .
What was his father like?

Julian .
A tall, grand, stately man.

Lily .
Like you, dear father?

Julian .
Like me, only much grander.

Lily .
I love you
The best though.

Julian .
Well, all dirty as he was,
And thin, and pale, and torn, with staring eyes,
His father knew him, the first look, far off,
And ran so fast to meet him! put his arms
Around his neck and kissed him.

Lily .
Oh, how dear!
I love him too;—but not so well as you.

Julian .
There is your mother.

Lily .
I am glad, so glad!

Lilia .
You naughty child, why are you not in bed?

Lily
( pouting ).
I am not naughty. I am afraid to go,
Because you don't go with me into sleep;
And when I see things, and you are not there,
Nor father, I am so frightened, I cry out,
And stretch my hands, and so I come awake.
Come with me into sleep, dear mother; come.