Ripple thy laughter!
Bubble thy glee!
Loud will the rafter
Echo to thee.
Clinging to mother,
Set on her knee;
She has no other
Dearer than thee.
Slave thou hast bound her;
Nestles thine arm,
Twining around her,
Telling thy charm.
Innocent speeches
Silencing strife;
Hallowed each is:
Pearls of a life.
Come, come and kiss me,
Child of my heart.
Oh! I would miss thee
Were we to part.
God in His mercy
Shelter my dove,
Dear little Ethel,
Child that I love.
(In imitation of A. Lindsay Gordon.)