Blessing on a Child.BY CAROLINE BOWLES.
BY CAROLINE BOWLES.
Andthe bonnie babe! on herAll your choicest gifts confer;Just as much of wit and senseAs may be hers without pretence—Just as much of grace and beautyAs shall not interfere with duty—Just as much of sprightlinessAs may companion gentleness—Just as much of firmness, too,As with self-will has naught to do—Just as much light-hearted cheerAs may be melted to a tearBy a word, a tone, a look,Pity’s touch, or Love’s rebuke—As much of frankness, sweetly free,As may consort with modesty—As much of feeling as will bearOf after life the wear and tear—As much of life—but, fairies! thereYe vanish into thinnest air;And with ye parts the playful veinThat loved a light and trivial strain.Befits me better, babe! for theeT’ invoke Almighty agency—Almighty love—Almighty power,To nurture up the human flower;To cherish it with heavenly dew,Sustain with earthly blessings too;And, when the ripe, full time shall be,Engraft it on eternity.
Andthe bonnie babe! on herAll your choicest gifts confer;Just as much of wit and senseAs may be hers without pretence—Just as much of grace and beautyAs shall not interfere with duty—Just as much of sprightlinessAs may companion gentleness—Just as much of firmness, too,As with self-will has naught to do—Just as much light-hearted cheerAs may be melted to a tearBy a word, a tone, a look,Pity’s touch, or Love’s rebuke—As much of frankness, sweetly free,As may consort with modesty—As much of feeling as will bearOf after life the wear and tear—As much of life—but, fairies! thereYe vanish into thinnest air;And with ye parts the playful veinThat loved a light and trivial strain.Befits me better, babe! for theeT’ invoke Almighty agency—Almighty love—Almighty power,To nurture up the human flower;To cherish it with heavenly dew,Sustain with earthly blessings too;And, when the ripe, full time shall be,Engraft it on eternity.
Andthe bonnie babe! on her
All your choicest gifts confer;
Just as much of wit and sense
As may be hers without pretence—
Just as much of grace and beauty
As shall not interfere with duty—
Just as much of sprightliness
As may companion gentleness—
Just as much of firmness, too,
As with self-will has naught to do—
Just as much light-hearted cheer
As may be melted to a tear
By a word, a tone, a look,
Pity’s touch, or Love’s rebuke—
As much of frankness, sweetly free,
As may consort with modesty—
As much of feeling as will bear
Of after life the wear and tear—
As much of life—but, fairies! there
Ye vanish into thinnest air;
And with ye parts the playful vein
That loved a light and trivial strain.
Befits me better, babe! for thee
T’ invoke Almighty agency—
Almighty love—Almighty power,
To nurture up the human flower;
To cherish it with heavenly dew,
Sustain with earthly blessings too;
And, when the ripe, full time shall be,
Engraft it on eternity.