ON A CHILD ASLEEP.
BY JOHN A. CHAPMAN.
See, in that ray of light that child reposes,
Calmly as he a little angel were;
And now and then his eyes he half uncloses,
To see if his bright visions real are.
But what his visions are God only knoweth,
For that sweet child forgets them day by day;
Like breeze of Eden, that so gently bloweth,
They leave no trace when they've passed away.
'Tis thus that innocent childhood ever sleepeth.
With half closed eyes and smiles around its mouth,
At sight of which man's sunken heart upleapeth,
Like chilléd flowers when fanned by the sweet south.
Sleep on, sweet child, smile, as thou sleepest, brightly,
For thou art blest in this thy morning hour;
And, when thou wakest, thou shalt walk more lightly
Than crownéd king, or monarch throned in power.