Poems descriptive, dramatic, legendary and contemplative ::

SLEEPING CHILD.

My little girl sleeps on my arm all night,
And seldom stirs, save, when with playful wile,
I bid her turn, and lift her lip to mine,—
Which, even as she sleeps, she does; and sometimes then,
Half muttering in her slumbers, she declares
Her love for me is boundless. Then I take
The precious promise closer to my arms,
And, by my action—for, in such a time,
My lips can find no utterance for my heart—
Give her assurance meet that she is there

Most treasured of my jewels. Thus, tenderly,
Hour after hour, with no desire of sleep,
I watch above that large amount of hope,
With eyes made doubly vigilant by their tears,
Until the stars wane, and the yellow moon
Walks forth into the night.

University of Virginia Library

SLEEPING CHILD.