TO GRACE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2390, 21 December 1899, Page 52

TO GRACE.

My little lively daughter Grace, O'er whose emotional young face The clouds and sunshine flit apace Like April weather. 'Tis pleasant from my garden seat Tc- hear thy laughter, silvery sweet, And watch thy never-resting feet, That nought can tether. What heaven-breathing thoughts are thine . A.s, kneehng on the sward, yen twine Old Eo\er's n°.c\i with wreath divine Of bud and blossom! Thy bliss i.i now, the moirow may Not be so blissful as to day, But not one thought beyond thy play Disturbs thy bosom. Old Eover, couched upon the ground, Eyes thy young face with look profound, That seems the very depths to sound Of thy mild r.ature. Haply he thinks thy merry ways, Thy sunny smile and natural grace, Thy beauty, — all's a living praise Of thy Creator! He does not think — ah! happy he!— Wbat Time may have in store for thee, What cares may come, what misery, As thou grow'st older. But I, thy father, fain nnist sigh To think that in that beaming eye The light shall wane and pleasuro fly — Thy heart grown colder. Yet though thine outward charm 3 may fade, And sorrow, pain, thy heart invade, May never sinful thoughts degrade Thy soul's pure beauty! But when thy earthly race is run, And thy tired feet the goal have won, May thy Great Father say "Well done! Thou'st done thy duty!" — H. J. B. December, 1899.