Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

A THOUGHT OVER A CRADLE.

I sadden when thou smilest to my smile,

Child of my love! I tremble to believe

That o'er the mirror of that eye of blue

The shadow of my heart will always pass;—

A heart that, from its struggle with the world,

Comes nightly to thy guarded cradle home,

And, careless of the staining dust it brings,