DEAR Lord, dear Lord, Thou, who didst not erst deny The mother-joy to Mary mild Blessed in the blessed Child-- Hearkening in meek babyhood Her cradle hymn, albeit used To all that music interfused In breasts of angels high and good. Oh, take not, Lord, my babe away-- Oh, take not to thy songful heaven, The pretty babe thou hast given; Or ere that I have seen him play Around his father's knees, and known That he knew how my love hath gone From all the world to him. |