These treasures I loved so dear,

And when the household is still in sleep,

And the breath of slumber I hear,

I take those curls from their little nest

And live o’er the past again;

And hug them close to my aching breast,

To smother a strange, sad pain.

Yes, new curls may grow again, but oh,

They never will be like these!

For time is passing, and babies grow,