Across the waters I am come, And I have left a Babe at home: A long, long way of land and sea! For thee, sweet Baby!-thou hast tried, Far more than I can be to thee. Here little Darling dost thou lie; An Infant Thou, a Mother I! Mine wilt thou be, thou hast no fears; Mine art thou-spite of these my tears. Alas! before I left the spot, My Baby and its dwelling-place; The Nurse said to me, "Tears should not Be shed upon an Infant's face, No truth is in them who say so! My own dear Little-one will sigh, 'Tis gone-forgotten-let me do The smiles, worth all the world to me. h! how I love thee! we will stay Together here this one half day. My Sister's Child, who bears my name, From France across the Ocean came; She with her Mother cross'd the sea; The Babe and Mother near me dwell: What thou art! though I love her well: I cannot help it—ill intent I've none, my pretty Innocent! I weep-I know they do thee wrong, These tears-and my poor idle tongue. Oh what a kiss was that! my cheek How cold it is! but thou art good; Thine eyes are on me-they would speak, I think, to help me if they could. Blessings upon that quiet face, My heart again is in its place! While thou art mine, my little Love, Contentment, hope, and Mother's glee, Here's grass to play with, here are flowers; Thy features seem to me the same; And, when once more my home I see, I'll tell him many tales of Thee." FORESIGHT, Or the Charge of a Child to his younger Companion. This is work which I am rueing- We must spare them-here are many : Small and low, though fair as any: Do not touch it! summers two I am older, Anne, than you. |