I saw where in the shroud did lurk A curious frame of Nature’s work. A flow’ret crushed in the bud, A nameless piece of Babyhood, Was in a cradle—coffin lying;

Come, my little Robert, near— Fie! what filthy hands are here— Who that e’er could understand The rare structure of a hand, With its branching fingers fine,

Why is your mind thus all day long Upon your music set; Till reason’s swallowed in a song, Or idle canzonet? I grant you, Melesinda, when

While young John runs to greet The greater Infant’s feet, The Mother standing by, with trem… Of devout admiration, Beholds the engaging mystic play,…

David and his three captains bold Kept ambush once within a hold. It was in Adullam’s cave, Nigh which no water they could hav… Nor spring nor running brook was n…

Roi’s wife of Brunswick Oëls! Roi’s wife of Brunswick Oëls! Wot you how she came to him, While he supinely dreamt of no ill… Vow! but she is a canty Queen,

Arrayed—a half angelic sight— In nests of pure baptismal white, The mother to the font doth bring The little, helpless, nameless thi… With hushes soft, and mild caressi…

Anna was always full of thought As if she’d many sorrows known, Yet mostly her full heart was frau… With troubles that were not her ow… For the whole school to Anna used…

Friend of my earliest years and ch… My joys, my sorrows, thou with me… Companion dear, and we alike have… (Poor pilgrims we) through life’s… It were unwisely done, should we r…

Thou fragile, filmy, gossamery thi… First leaf of spring! At every lightest breath that quak… And with a zephyr shakest; Scarce stout enough to hold thy sl…

SISTER. Through the house what busy joy, Just because the infant boy Has a tiny tooth to show. I have got a double row,

I HAVE had playmates, I have ha… In my days of childhood, in my joy… All, all are gone, the old familia… I have been laughing, I have been… Drinking late, sitting late, with…

But a few words could William say… And those few could not speak plai… Yet thought he was a man one day; Never saw I boy so vain. From what could vanity proceed

I saw a boy with eager eye Open a book upon a stall, And read as he’d devour it all: Which when the stall—man did espy, Soon to the boy I heard him call,

Model of thy parent dear, Serious infant worth a fear: In thy unfaultering visage well Picturing forth the son of Tell, When on his forehead, firm and goo…