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Page:Poems Hale.djvu/161

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to a beautiful child of five years.
153
TO A BEAUTIFUL CHILD OF FIVE YEARS.
Vision of beauty! that hast burstUpon my gazing sight,Breathing of grace and loveliness,All life, and joy, and light;Within that eye's deep tenderness,And on that unstained brow,I trace the fearless confidenceWhich sorrow ne'er should bow.
Child of scarce five short years, thyselfBright as those precious hoursWhen, Eden-like, the young year smilesFrom out its fragrant bowers;Thy Summer's radiant flowers are strewedAlong thy happy way;And Hope, sweet childhood's brilliant sun,Beams forth its cloudless ray.
Sorrow, as yet, upon thy browIts signet hath not pressed:Thou like some spotless spirit art,All blessing and all blessed.Thy tears are nature's pearly dewWhich joy's bright sun dispels;Thy smiles the gushing fount which fromThy young heart's rapture swells.