MEASURING THE BABY.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 500, 17 August 1871, Page 3

MEASURING THE BABY.

We measured the riotous baby Against tho cottage wall— A lily grow at the threshold. And the boy was just as tall! A veyal tiger lily. With spots of purple and gold, And a heart like a jewelled chalice, The fragrant dew to hold. "Without, the blackbirds whistled High up in the old root troe3, And to and fro at the windows The red rose rocked her bees ; And the wee pink fists of the baby Were never a moment still, Snatching at the shine and shadow That danced on the lattice-sill! His eyes were as wide as blue-bells— His mouth like a flower unblown— Two little bare feet, like funny white mice, Peeped out from his snowy gown ; And we thought with a thrill of rapture That yet had a touch of pain, When June rolls round with her roses, We'll measure the boy again. Ah me ! in a darkened chamber. With the sunshine shut away, Through tears that fell like a bitter rain, We measure the boy to-day ; And the little bare feet that were dimpled, And sweet as a budding rose, lay side by side together, In the hush of a long repose ! Up from the dainty pillow, White as the risen dawn. The fair little face lay smiling, With Heaven* liglit o'er it drawn, And the dear little hands like rose-leaves Dropped from a rose, lay still, Never to snatcli at the sunshine That crept to the shrouded sill! We measured the sleeping baby With ribbons white as snow, For the shining rosewood casket That waited for him below ; And out of the darkened chamber We went with a childless moan— To the height of tho sinless angels Our little one had grown !