Poems (Cook)/Children's welcoming

by Eliza Cook

 

CHILDREN'S WELCOMING.

They were indeed a lovely group
 Of happy, sportive creatures;
With all of beauty that can dwell
 In earthly forms and features.

There was a light in every eye,
 A tint on every cheek;
So bright, so deep, that rarer ones
 A limner would not seek.

They sprang about the spangled grass
 Like young and gamesome deer;
And thrillingly their voices fell
 Upon my heart and ear.

With minds of childish innocence
 Unsullied and unbent;
Though living in a world of sin,
 They knew not what sin meant.

"Come on," they cried, "we've deck'd your seat
 With fresh-pull'd oaken boughs;
We've gathered flowers, and you must weave
 Them round about our brows!

"We've chased each other down the hill,
 And through the primrose vale;
But now we'll listen, while you sit
 And tell the promised tale.

"We've run to meet you at the gate,
 And watch'd and waited long:
Come on, come on—we're all right glad
 To have you in our throng!"

And then the urchins, clambering up,
 Gave many an earnest kiss;
And led me on, with wild delight,
 Towards their fields of bliss.

Oh, how I loved the fairy elves!
 I bless'd them, for I knew
Their inmost thoughts were on their lips,
 Their welcoming was true.

There was a strong, endearing spell,
 Around their artless ways;
I fear'd no treachery 'neath their smiles,
 No falsehood in their praise.

I help'd to weave their daisy chains,
 I wreath'd their waving hair;
And, pleased as they, 'twere hard to tell
 Which heart was happiest there.

I bless'd them all; and much I doubt
 If Time will ever bring
Words to my ear more musical
 Than children's welcoming.