Minor Poems, including Napoleon :: :: University of Virginia Library

Could I, sweet child, invoke for thee
A blessing of transcendent worth;
Such might'st thou justly claim from me,
And this dark day might give it birth.

II

Thine it should be, because I owe
To thee, at times, the blest recal
Of being's earlier, brighter glow,
And nature's tend'rest, sweetest thrall.

III

For who could look upon thy face,
Whether in smiles, or tears array'd,
Nor feel the soft, resistless grace
By early innocence display'd?

169

IV

O! many a time its soothing power
Has charm'd me from myself awhile;
And shed on sorrow's sunless hour
Something like joy's remember'd smile.

V

Nor least delightful is its sway
Now, when the winds that sweep around,
On dark December's shortest day
The closing year's deep dirge resound.

VI

In such a season, smiles like thine
Around them more of brightness fling,
Than outward sunbeams, when they shine
Upon the sweetest flowers of Spring.

VII

They flow from feelings far above
What Spring's gay beauties can impart;
They speak of tenderness and love,
Warm from a glowing, guileless heart.

170

VIII

What are, to thee, the noise and strife
Of this world's tumult?—Things unknown!
Love is thy polar star of life,
Thou livest now to love alone.

IX

In those around, who hold thee dear,
Thy smiles reflected pleasure wake;
Thy love imparts that power to cheer,
And theirs are sweet for love's dear sake.

X

And most of all to her fond heart,
Who views thee with as fond an eye,
Each transport thou canst there impart,
Or share, love only can supply.

XI

'Tis this that makes thy smiles and tears
Call forth her deepest tenderness;
'Tis this that unto thee endears
Her silent glance, her soft caress.

171

XII

Long, long may such appear to thee
The light of life's intelligence;
And may thy true affection be
In future years their recompense!