Poems (Blake)/At a Baptism

by Mary Elizabeth Blake

AT A BAPTISM.

Dark-eyed baby Natalie,
 With all pure things in accord,—
 On this Sabbath of the Lord,
Unto Him we offer thee!
Rich in all thy baby charms,
In His temple to His arms
Do we bring thee, asking there
Fuller meed of faith and prayer,
Safer guidance, richer grace,
Than our mortal hands may trace.

Had we lived in other climes,
Fairer scenes and older times,
Long ago when Fairy Queens
Mingled in our earthly scenes,—
On this day what gifts most sweet
Would be piled before thy feet!
Dower of love, and length of days,
Fadeless beauty, winning ways,
Philters rich in magic art
Conquering for thee every heart,
Or some charm of power untold
Changing all thy words to gold.

Bonny baby Natalie!
Fairies still are left for thee,
In the arts of love more strong
Than the elves of tale and song;
All too poor to them do seem
Earthly gift and earthly dream;
All too short earth's transient hope,
For the soul's immortal scope;
So to-day their hearts have flown
On strong wings to God's white throne,
And in guerdon full and free,
Opened heaven itself to thee,
Dark-eyed baby Natalie.