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Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3808, 12 March 1881, Page 1

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THE LOST BABES.

Come, my wife, put down the Bible, Liy your glasses on (he booh But h i. f us are bent .and aged— Backward, mother, let us look. There is still the same old homestead Where I brought jou years ago, 4 That is now like winter's snow. Let us talk about the babies, As we sit here all alonp, Buch a merry group of youngsters ; How we lost them one by one.

Jack, (he first of ail the party, Came to us one winter's night. Jack, you said, shall be a parson, Long before he s.w the light. Do you see that great cathedral, Filled, the transept anu the nave, He»r the organ grajdly peeling, Listen to the music's See t.Jie priest in robes of office", Wi'b the altar at his back— Would you think that gifted preacher Could be our own little Jack ?

Then a girl with curly tresses Used to climb upon my knee, Like a little fairy princess Ruling atth-i age of three. With ibe years there came a wedding— How your fond heart swelled with pride When the lord of ah the county Chose your baby for his bride ! Watch that stately carriage coming, And the form reclining there— Would you think that brilliant Jady Could be your own little Clare P

Then the last, a blue-eyed youngster— I can hear him prattle now— Such a strong and sturdy fellow, With bis broad and honest brow. How he used to love liis mother! Ah ! I see your trembling lip j Be is far off on he water, Captain of a royal ship. See the bronze upon bis forehead, Hear the voice of stern command— That's tbe boy who clung so fondly To bis mother's gentle hand !

Ah ! my wife, we've lost the babies, Ours so long and ours ulone. What are we to these great people, Stately men and women grown ? Seldom do we ever see them ; Yes, a bitter tear drop starts, And we sit here in the firelight, Lonely hearth and lonely hearts. All their lives are full without ue j They'l stop long enough one day Just to lay us in the churchyard, Then they'll each go on their way,