Page:Poems Eaton.djvu/37

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Dormie Darling.
23
DORMIE DARLING.
  THOU'RT gone to rest before me, Dormie darling,
Thou'rt gone to rest, my child—
That sleep from which no earthly power can waken.
Thy weary, drooping lids hath overtaken,
And death a helpless prisoner hath bound thee,
And the grave's solitude and gloom surround thee,
Yet from the past, as sent on wings of healing,
Like sweet perfume from faded flowers stealing,
  Thy memory comes o'er me, Dormie darling,
    Comes over me, my child.

  Thou wert my joy and blessing, Dormie darling,
    My joy and blessing, child—
Thou hadst my senses in most holy keeping,
Thy lightest tones would set my pulses leaping,
And never yet, beloved, didst thou grieve me,
Until at higher bidding thou didst leave me
To find mid purer scenes thy home in heaven—
While here in loneliness from morn till even
  I long for thy caressing, Dormie darling,
    I long for thee, my child.

  I'm longing for some token, Dormie darling,
    Some token, dearest child,
That though a glorious spirit, thou art near me,
With gentle soothing, striving still to cheer me—