Page:Poems for Children Sigourney 1836.pdf/66



There was a king of Egypt, and he made A cruel law, that every infant son Born to the Hebrew race, throughout his realm, Should be destroyed. ''Think! what a cruel law'', That those sweet, sinless infants should be slain. —But one fond mother hid her babe away, So that they might not find him, and she went Silent, and gave him food; and when he cried She softly hush'd him, lest his voice should lead The murderers to their prey. So he became Exceeding fair, and health upon his cheek Gleam'd like an opening rose. Three months past by, And his glad eye grew brighter, when he heard His mother's footstep, though he did not know Why she would press her finger on her lip To check his joyous mirth. With bitter pang She gaz'd upon the beauty of his smile, And shuddering heard his laughter, for she felt She could no longer hide him.