The Cry of Rachel

I STAND in the dark; I beat on the floor,

Let me in, Death.

Through the storm am I come; I find you before:

Let me in, Death.

For him that is sweet, and for him that is small,

I beat on the door, I cry, and I call:

Let me in, Death.

For he was my bow of the almond-tree fair:

Let me in, Death.

You brake it; it whitens no more by the stair:

Let me in, Death.

For he was my lamp in the House of the Lord;

You quenched, and left me this dark and the sword:

Let me in, Death.

I that was rich do ask you for alms:

Let me in, Death.

I that was full, uplift your stripped palms:

Let me in, Death.

Back to me now give the child that I had;

Cast into mine arms my little sweet lad:

Let me in, Death.

Are you grown so deaf that you cannot hear?

Let me in, Death.

Unclose the dim eye, and unstop the ear:

Let me in, Death.

I will call so loud, I will cry so sore,

You must for shame’s sake come open the door:

Let me in, Death.