CHILDHOOD'S LAUGH.
A laugh! a brimming laugh of joy—from childhood's lip it peals,
And every ear on which it falls, a thrill of rapture feels—
Stern brows relax, and lips will curl, with something like a smile,
Although the cause of that wild mirth be all unknown the while.
For there is something in the glee, the laughing of a child,
That speaks to e'en the coldest heart, it rings so free and wild;
'T is like the music of a bird, that hath no tone of care,
But poureth its exceeding joy upon the summer air.
'T is like the odorous breath exhaled from out the dewy flower,
That telleth of a quiet bliss in every sunlight hour—
Or like the insects' ceaseless hum from grove or verdant spot,
Where they are telling all day long their joy-abounding lot.
It is a free, a guileless laugh, that brings a pang to none—
And welleth from a crystal heart, that hath no sorrow known—
And wheresoe'er that laugh shall fall, it will a dream restore
Of by-gone glee, and careless mirth, and childhood's days once more.
Up springing by the dusty way, rise many a joyous group—
The kite soars high, the ball rebounds, and darts the merry hoop—
The woods re-echo once again, to boyhood's noisy glee,
And tiny mills beside the brook are turning rapidly.
And by-gone pranks, forgotten long, return till each has smiled,
To think how very smart he was, and witty when a child—
And retrospective sighs are heaved, so sadly boys have changed
Since they along the forest way, or by the seashore ranged.
The gay child's laugh is everywhere, and sad indeed were earth,
If never on the weary ear came childhood's voice of mirth.
Oh! were that hushed, a murky gloom on everything would rest,
And heavy press the weight of care upon the human breast.
Then never check that sinless joy, but freely let it swell,
For 'mid the pleasant sounds of earth this works the holiest spell—
It tells of hours of innocence, when love and trust were given,
And it may whisper yet again the words of peace and heaven.
