"Methinks, while yet in cradled sleep,
She loved and destined thee to be
A dweller of the craggy steep,
A watcher of the stormy deep,
And bade its wild waves nurse and keep
Thy heart as strong and free.
"She bade thee draw a deep delight—
An influence kind—an impulse brave,
From every season in its flight,
From gentle Spring and Summer bright,
From golden Autumn, and the might
Of winter's wind and wave.
"By every aspect she could show,
In heaven above and earth below,
She bade thy spirit statelier grow,
And 'champion human fears!'
Courage and love she bade thee know,
And with the noblest passions glow,
And melt with noblest tears!
"Like Ocean's daughter—Peril's bride—
She nurs'd thee by the roaring tide,
The playmate of its storms,
And bade thee be in soul allied
With moral grandeur, strength and pride,
To her thy monitress and guide
In all her moods and forms.
"To thee she said, in accents bland,
'These desert rocks and wild sea-land
Shall be as dear a father-land
As ever yet was dearest;
'Midst all of lone, and stern, and grand,
Thy heart shall burn, thy soul expand,
And thou shall know and understand
My voice in all thou hearest
"'Day's radiant arch—night's cloudy dome,
Alike shall see thee fearless roam,
And life to thee shall dear become,
And thou its humblest forms shall blend
With the sweet charities of home,
S'en the poor sea-bird on the foam
Shalt be to thee a friend!'
"This nature wills; her will avails,
Thy matchless deed may show.
Thy lofty heart that did not quail
When raged on high the stormy gale,
And ocean rag'd below.
A meed of glory shall not fail!
Grace Darling's is the noblest tale
That e'er made woman's cheeks look pale,
Or man's with envy glow!
"Heroic girl! these volumes take,
For proudest admiration's sake;
Proud volumes so possess'd!
And may my own brave Constance make
A kindred admiration wake
In thy congenial breast!
"And wouldst thou know, 'heart-honoured maid!
How thrice a thousand-fold repaid
My humble gift may be?
With cheerful hand and heart unbraid
The band thy modest brow that shades,
And send, with three kind words convey'd,
One little tress to me!
"Be this a birthday doubly bless'd!
Joy to thine aged mother's breast!
And long, caressing and caress'd,
May her maternal kiss,
While peaceful years melt calm away,
Make to thy heart each natal day
As joyous e'en as this!