Aye Sister, I know you are happy;
Your heart is a nest full of joys;
I will not disparage your Baby,
Your plumpest of his bonny Boys.
But I have my wee, winsome Nellie,
My Beauty, my bright Baby-Girl;
Ah me, I am richer than you are,
As diamond is richer than pearl!
She is little, & lovely, & sparkling,
My Baby, my Darling, my Sweet;
She is rounded, & rosy, & joy-like,
All down to her trim little feet.
My baby has limbs that are lower
Than apple-boughs mantled with snow,
Late snow surprising the blossoms
That tint it with delicate glow –
She gives me her arms for a necklace,
And cunningly knots it behind,
And then she must have twenty kissed,
Or ever the knot is untwined.
My baby has delicate fingers,
With so tender a touch, & so warm,
You would say that of Zephyr & Twilight
Was fashioned her exquisite form.
My Darling has eyes that are dreamy,
O, dark & beautiful eyes!
Serene with the length of their lashes,
Like shadows on sunset skies.
The fairies who sprinkle with dimples
Have dotted them in so at whiles
That, like whirls on the rim of an eddy,
Her smile is a vortex of smiles.
My baby is wholly delicious;
Where latest I kiss her is best;
All sweet as the folds of a lily
With the dew on its virginal vest.
The dainty wee midget loves honey;
I say to her, catching her glee,
“O, where is there honey for Baby?
And where are the cherries for me?
She looks me an answer, so archly,
As if she would tell me: “I know!”
And puts up her lips like a cherry;
Like a robin I peck at it – so;
And she clings to my mouth with her kisses
As a bee in the heart of a rose;
And there is the honey for Baby!
Say her eyes in their vivid repose.
I fancy my baby is sleeping,
And softly slips in with a kiss,
When up come her lashes wide open
With a laugh, O, how merry it is!
Aye sister, I know you are happy;
Your heart is a nest full of joys,
But I would not take for my Nelly
A cage-load of Cupids for Boys!
Baby-Girl