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A wayward tone, a want expressed,
Engage thy tender care,
And, soothed upon thy gentle breast,
It sweetly slumbers there.
Engage thy tender care,
And, soothed upon thy gentle breast,
It sweetly slumbers there.
Then those mild eyes with pleasure greet
Its precious little form,
And, gazing on its aspect sweet,
Observe each varying charm.
Its precious little form,
And, gazing on its aspect sweet,
Observe each varying charm.
The sire, with sweet affection mild,
Surveys the pleasing sight,
And gazes on his blooming child,
Rapt in a new delight:
Surveys the pleasing sight,
And gazes on his blooming child,
Rapt in a new delight:
His fancy paints its future form,
Its mind's expanded powers,
And, with parental ardor warm,
Gilds all its coming hours.
Its mind's expanded powers,
And, with parental ardor warm,
Gilds all its coming hours.
How pure the joys where hearts unite
And minds congenial join,—
In sweet affection's power delight,
And own its source divine!
And minds congenial join,—
In sweet affection's power delight,
And own its source divine!
Thus may thy moments sweetly flow
With him, thy chosen friend,
And both, with your loved offspring, know
The bliss that shall not end.
With him, thy chosen friend,
And both, with your loved offspring, know
The bliss that shall not end.
