Evermore turning to his mother's face,

So dove-like soft, yet bright as summer skies;

And pure his cheek as roses, ere the trace

Of earthly blight or stain their tints disgrace.

O'er my loved child enraptured still I hung;

No joy in life could those sweet hours replace,

When by his cradle low I watched and sung—

While still in memory's ear his father's promise rung.

Long, long I wept with weak and piteous cry

O'er my sweet infant, in its rosy bloom,