THE FATHER AND HIS CHILD.
He stood and gazed upon her! on her brow
Three summer suns had scarcely shed the light
That should have been all gladness—but had left
A shadow and a thoughtfulness, that seemed
Almost unnatural in one so young,
So beautiful and gentle. Childhood sat
Upon her brow, but all its mirth was gone,
And innocence had shrined itself within
The temple of her spirit, and looked out,
Serene as heaven, from her large deep eyes
Of heaven's own blue. Alas! that grief should cast
A veil of dreaminess upon those orbs,
That half their brightness buried!
Still she sat;
And by her side sported a little lamb,
As innocent and helpless as herself,
And like herself the last one of the flock!
So thought I. following with saddened eyes,
The gentle playmates; and within my heart,
I felt there was a sympathy between
All things, for every thing God's hand had made.
Three summer suns had scarcely shed the light
That should have been all gladness—but had left
A shadow and a thoughtfulness, that seemed
Almost unnatural in one so young,
So beautiful and gentle. Childhood sat
Upon her brow, but all its mirth was gone,
And innocence had shrined itself within
The temple of her spirit, and looked out,
Serene as heaven, from her large deep eyes
Of heaven's own blue. Alas! that grief should cast
A veil of dreaminess upon those orbs,
That half their brightness buried!
Still she sat;
And by her side sported a little lamb,
As innocent and helpless as herself,
And like herself the last one of the flock!
So thought I. following with saddened eyes,
The gentle playmates; and within my heart,
I felt there was a sympathy between
All things, for every thing God's hand had made.
"Lammy, poor little lammy!" with a start
I listened to the tone of piercing grief,
I listened to the tone of piercing grief,
