We will guard and help thee.
“And when thou art very good,
In our arms we’ll take thee,
And, while singing thankful songs,
Up to heaven we’ll bear thee.”
Then the angels told him how he must watch the flowers, and listen to the birds,—and they would teach him to be good; but that he must pray often and heartily, or else they could not stay with him. Then they sang once more about heaven—and how he would go there too; and they kissed him on the forehead, softly and gently, like the touch of a flower. Then the flowers awoke him,—and now he had told them what he had been dreaming.
And the flowers wept too at the lovely dream of the beautiful child; and they touched him with their bells as the angels kissed him, and showered upon him dew-drops, till his golden hair sparkled with the liquid diamonds. Then the child felt strong and hopeful;—and kneeling down among the flowers, he prayed that he might be good and pure, so that the angels would take him soon to his mother.
CHILDHOOD.
My heart leaps up when I behold