When cradled by their mothers' side, The babes repose in slumber deep, Dream not they constantly abide On earth while seemingly asleep. Ah! no; at times the angels come And bear them in their arms away, Far off to Heav'n—their fitting home— And teach the darlings how to play. And when the mother's loving eyes Between the snowy curtains peep, To watch the baby as he lies At midnight, wrapt in balmy sleep: The angels swiftly downward go To lay him in his dainty cot, And near the cradle whisper low, Though the fond mother hears them not. And then the years in rapid flight, Like dreams of ecstasy pass by, And half those days of pure delight Are spent by infants in the sky. But when alas! sin's lurid stain Hath tarnished souls so white before The children bound to earth remain— Their angels visit them no more. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONTRA MORTEM: THE MOON by HAYDEN CARRUTH MY GARDEN by RALPH WALDO EMERSON THE OLD SERGEANT by BYRON FORCEYTHE WILLSON THE BALLAD OF BAZILE BORGNE by IDA COLE BARTLATT WIND OF SUMMER by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY THE GREAT ADVENTURE (WITH ACKNOWLEDGMENTS TO GEORGE MATTHEW ADAMS) by BERTON BRALEY |