But what happy faces, too,
Will look shyly up at you.
Little faces, that in truth,
Show the magic joy of youth.
Children merry, sturdy, fair,
Wholesome as the sun and air.
And you wonder as you gaze,
Musing on their artless ways,
What hard lessons life will teach,
What will be the fate of each.
Will those restless little feet,
March to victory or defeat?
In the battle each must fight,
Who will take the side of right?
Who will triumph, who will fail,
When the Tempter shall assail?
How much sorrow—how much joy,
Waiteth for each girl and boy?
Will look shyly up at you.
Little faces, that in truth,
Show the magic joy of youth.
Children merry, sturdy, fair,
Wholesome as the sun and air.
And you wonder as you gaze,
Musing on their artless ways,
What hard lessons life will teach,
What will be the fate of each.
Will those restless little feet,
March to victory or defeat?
In the battle each must fight,
Who will take the side of right?
Who will triumph, who will fail,
When the Tempter shall assail?
How much sorrow—how much joy,
Waiteth for each girl and boy?
12
