DIRGE OF A CHILD.

No bitter tears for thee be shed,

Blossom of being! seen and gone!

With flowers alone we strew thy bed,

O blest departed One!

Whose all of life, a rosy ray,

Blush’d into dawn and pass’d away.

Yes! thou art fled, ere guilt had power

To stain thy cherub-soul and form,

Closed is the soft ephemeral flower