The Child Angel

Lily-white her skin,
     Violets are her eyes, 
And their depths within,
     Love, unconscious, lies; 
Every ray that beams
     From those orbs of blue, 
Lights a world of dreams,
     Tender, warm, and true.

Sweeter than the blooms
     Of the spicy South, 
Is the breath that comes
     From her rosy mouth; 
Never song of birds
     Could delight me so, 
As her baby words,
     Murmured soft and low.

How the love-light plays 
     O'er her forehead fair 
How the golden rays 
     Glorify her hair !
How the dimples small 
     Twinkle round her face!
How are fashioned all 
     To the law of grace!

When my darling's voice
     With its glad refrain 
Makes the air rejoice,
     I forget my pain; 
When its tender trills
     Speak her love aright, 
All my spirit thrills
     With a keen delight.

Life is more divine,
     With a fuller bliss, 
When her lips to mine
     Press their loving kiss. 
I can better meet
     Sorrow, pain, and care, 
When her little feet
     Patter round my chair.

More can I discern 
     In her guileless looks,
Better wisdom learn,
     Than from wisest books.
God! accept my thanks
     For this angel given, 
Though the shining ranks
     Miss her, up in heaven!