Page:Tale of Paraguay - Southey.djvu/16

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A child more welcome, by indulgent Heaven Never to parents' tears and prayers was given! For scarcely eight months at thy happy birth Had pass'd, since of thy sister we were left,— Our first-born and our only babe, bereft. Too fair a flower was she for this rude earth! The features of her beauteous infancy Have faded from me, like a passing cloud, Or like the glories of an evening sky: And seldom hath my tongue pronounced her name Since she was sunnnon'd to a happier sphere. But that dear love so deeply wounded then, I in my soul with silent faith sincere Devoutly cherish till we meet again.

I saw thee first with trembling thankfulness, O daughter of my hopes and of my fears! Press'd on thy senseless cheek a troubled kiss, And breathed my blessing over thee with tears.