And infancy is sacred, for it drew 620
A blessing down—in the assembled view
Of those first gleaners in the promised land,
His true disciples’ firm united band
The Saviour stood—with brow serene and mild,
And held amid the crowd, “a little child.” 625
And as upon his tranquil breast it lay
With dimpled lip and eye of placid ray,
Confiding, fearless, in his tender care,
Thus spake,—“Behold! the Christian’s model there!