Page:Records of Woman.pdf/47

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And met his father's face: but then a change Pass'd swiftly o'er the brow of infant glee, And a quick sense of something dimly strange Brought him from play to stand beside the knee So often climb'd, and lift his loving eyes That shone through clouds of sorrowful surprise.

Then the proud bosom of the strong man shook; But tenderly his babe's fair mother laid Her hand on his, and with a pleading look, Thro' tears half quivering, o'er him bent, and said, "What grief, dear friend, hath made thy heart its prey, That thou shouldst turn thee from our love away?

"It is too sad to see thee thus, my friend!   Mark'st thou the wonder on thy boy's fair brow, Missing the smile from thine? Oh! cheer thee! bend    To his soft arms, unseal thy thoughts e'en now! Thou dost not kindly to withhold the share Of tried affection in thy secret care."