CHILD LEFT ON THE SEA-SHORE.
Adapted to a picture by Sully.
Why dost thou sport amid those swelling waves,
Child of the frolic brow? The billows rush
Foaming and vexing with a maniac's wrath,
To do unuttered deeds, and the wild clouds
Muster and frown, as if bold midnight rear'd
Her throne at noon-day. Hear'st thou not the winds
Uttering their ruffian threats? Is this a time
To lave that snowy foot? Away! away!
——What!—have all fled?—and art thou left alone?—
By those who wandered with thee on the beach,
In the fair sun-light of a summer's morn,
Forgotten thus! Had'st thou a mother, sweet?
Oh, no—no—no! She had not turn'd away,
Though the strong tempest rose to tenfold wrath,—
She had not fled without thee,—had not breath'd
In safety or at ease save when she heard
Thy murmur'd tone beside her,—had not slept
Until thy drench'd and drooping curls were dried
In her fond bosom. Nature never made
A mother to forget. Why, she had dared
Yon fiercest surge to save thee, or had plung'd,
Clasping thee close and closer, down,—down,—down,—
Where thou art going. Lo! the breakers rush
Bellowing, to demand thee. Shrink not, child!
Innocence need not fear. Sweet shalt thou sleep
'Mid ocean's sunless flowers. The lullaby
Of the mermaiden shall thy requiem be,
And the white coral thou didst love to mix
Among thy pencill'd shells, shall lightly rear
A canopy above thee. Amber drops
Shall gem thy clustering tresses, and thy ear
No more the echoes of the wavering main
Appall'd shall hear. Thy God shall guard thy rest.
L. H. S.
Hartford.
Painted by T. Scully. Engraved by J.W. Steel.
CHILD ON THE SEA BEACH.