Page:Field Poems of Childhood.djvu/84



THOUGHT myself, indeed, secure

So fast the door, so firm the lock;

But, lo! he toddling comes to lure

My parent ear with timorous knock.

My heart were stone could it withstand

The sweetness of my baby's plea,—

That timorous, baby knocking and

"Please let me in,—it's only me."

I threw aside the unfinished book,

Regardless of its tempting charms,

And, opening wide the door, I took

My laughing darling in my arms.

Who knows but in Eternity,

I, like a truant child, shall wait

The glories of a life to be,

Beyond the Heavenly Father's gate?

And will that Heavenly Father heed

The truant's supplicating cry,

As at the outer door I plead,

"Tis I, O Father! only I"?