CHILDREN'S WELCOMING.
With minds of childish innocence
Unsullied and unbent;
Though living in a world of sin,
They knew not what sin meant.
Unsullied and unbent;
Though living in a world of sin,
They knew not what sin meant.
"Come on," they cried, "we've deck'd your seat
With fresh-pull'd oaken boughs;
We've gathered flowers, and you must weave
Them round about our brows!
With fresh-pull'd oaken boughs;
We've gathered flowers, and you must weave
Them round about our brows!
"We've chased each other down the hill,
And through the primrose vale;
But now we'll listen, while you sit
And tell the promised tale.
And through the primrose vale;
But now we'll listen, while you sit
And tell the promised tale.
"We've run to meet you at the gate,
And watch'd and waited long:
Come on, come on—we're all right glad
To have you in our throng!"
And watch'd and waited long:
Come on, come on—we're all right glad
To have you in our throng!"
And then the urchins, clambering up,
Gave many an earnest kiss;
And led me on, with wild delight,
Towards their fields of bliss.
Gave many an earnest kiss;
And led me on, with wild delight,
Towards their fields of bliss.
Oh, how I loved the fairy elves!
I bless'd them, for I knew
Their inmost thoughts were on their lips,
Their welcoming was true.
I bless'd them, for I knew
Their inmost thoughts were on their lips,
Their welcoming was true.
There was a strong, endearing spell,
Around their artless ways;
I fear'd no treachery 'neath their smiles,
No falsehood in their praise.
Around their artless ways;
I fear'd no treachery 'neath their smiles,
No falsehood in their praise.
106
