TO MY DAUGHTER. ON HER BIRTHDAY. DEAR Fanny! nine long years ago, Whilst low'd the newly-waken'd herds- I heard those first, delightful words, "Thou hast a child!" Along with that uprising dew Tears glisten'd in my eyes, though few, To hail a dawning quite as new To me, as Time: It was not sorrow-not annoy- With grief-like welcome, even Joy So may'st thou live, dear! many years, In all the bliss that life endears, Not without smiles, nor yet from tears Too strictly kept: When first thy infant littleness The greatest proof of happiness Sept., 1839. LINES ON SEEING MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN SLEEPING IN THE SAME CHAMBER. AND has the earth lost its so spacious round, We might resign all mundane care and strife, Where Father, Mother, Children, Husband, Wife, COBLENTZ, Nov., 1835. LOVE thy mother, little one! Will kiss and clasp her neck in vain. II. Gaze upon her living eyes, And mirror back her love for thee,- III. Press her lips the while they glow IV. Oh, revere her raven hair! Altho' it be not silver-grey; Too early Death, led on by Care, May snatch save one dear lock away. Oh! revere her raven hair! V. Pray for her at eve and morn, That Heaven may long the stroke defer,— For thou may'st live the hour forlorn When thou wilt ask to die with her. Pray for her at eve and morn! |