When first thy infant littleness Sept., 1839. LINES ON SEEING MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN SLEEPING IN THE SAME CHAMBER. AND has the earth lost its so spacious round, The sky its blue circumference above, We might resign all mundane care and strife, Where Father, Mother, Children, Husband, Wife, COBLENTZ, Nov., 1835. LOVE thy mother, little one! Will kiss and clasp her neck in vain. II. Gaze upon her living eyes, And mirror back her love for thee,Hereafter thou may'st shudder sighs To meet them when they cannot see. Gaze upon her living eyes! III. Press her lips the while they glow With love that they have often told,— Hereafter thou may'st press in wo, And kiss them till thine own are cold. Press her lips the while they glow! IV. Oh, revere her raven hair! Too early Death, led on by Care, May snatch save one dear lock away. Oh! revere her raven hair! V. Pray for her at eve and morn, That Heaven may long the stroke defer,For thou may'st live the hour forlorn When thou wilt ask to die with her. Pray for her at eve and morn! STANZAS. FAREWELL Life! my senses swim, Welcome Life! the Spirit strives! I smell the rose above the mould! April, 1845. |