SELECT POETRY,

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 130, 4 August 1870, Page 7

SELECT POETRY,

BEAUTIFUL CHILD.

••«* (By the author of "Beautiful Snow.") A few years ago there appeared in an American published in one of- the Western States, a poem entitled "Beautiful Snow." The beauty 'of the composition secured its republication in numerous journals, and at length it found its way to England, accompanied by the tale that the original had been discovered upon the person of a young woman who was frozen to death in the streets of St. Louis. For a long time the writer preserved his incognito, while numerous claimants sought to appropriate the honour appertaining to its authorship. Some who knew the true history of the poem knew also the cause of its author's reluctance to give his name to the world. Some months since the secret was revealed, and Major Sigourney, nephew of the celebrated poetess of that name, became known as the writer. Who could have thought that in a few weeks the gifted poet j would fill a suicide's grave ? yet such is the case. He had in early life married a Miss Filmore, a lady of great personal attractions, and with her made a voyage to Europe. During their absence tumours unfavourably to her •character reached the Sigourney family. The reports seem to have been well founded, for shortly after her return to New York, she showed that the curse of the 19th century — the demon drink — had added another name to the list of. his victims. She abandoned her husband, because an outcast, and one morning she was found dead in the snow ; and 'he told the story of bis erring wife in the touching language of "Beautful Snow." The April number of " Harper's Magazine " contaius a poem which is the latest effort of his genius. It was addressed to his only child, and is a touching companion to the poem which has been so much admired. Beautiful child by thy mother's knee. In the mystic future what wilt thou be? A demon of sin, or angel sublime — A poison Upas, or innocent thyme — A spirit of evil flashing down With the lurid light of a fiery crown — Or gliding up with a shining track, Like the morning star that ne'er looks back, Daintiest dreamer that ever smiled, "Which wilt thou be, my beautiful child ? -Beautiful child in my garden bowers, Friend of the butterflies, birds, and flowers I Pure as the sparkling crystalline stream, Jewels of truth in thy fairy eyes beam : Was there ever a whiter soul than thine, Worshipped by love in a mortal shrine ? My heart tfiou hast gladdened for two sweet years XVith rainbows -of hope through, inifits of tears — Mists beyond which thy sunny smile, "With its halo of glory beams all the while. Beautiful child, to thy look is given A gleam serene — not of earth, but of heaven ; With|thy tell-tale eyes and.prattling tongue, Would thou could'st ever thus be young. Like the liquid strain of the •mocking-bird, From stair to hall thy voice is heard : How oft in the garden nooks thoa'rt found, With flowers thy curly head around, And kneeling beside me with -figure so-quaint, -Oh ! who would not dote on my infaotrt saint ! •"Beautiful child, what thy fate shall be, -Perchance is wisely hidden from me ; A fallen star thou inay'st leave my side, And of sorrow and shame become the bride — Shivering, <^jivering > through the cold street, With a curse behind and before thy feet, Ashamed to live, and afraid to die ; No home, no, friend, and a pitiless sky. Merciful i'ather— my brain grows wild — 'Oh ! keep from evil ray beautiful child'] ■Beautiful child, may'st thou soar above, •A warbling cherub of .joy and love ; -A drop on eternity's mighty sea, A blossom of life's immortal tree — -Floating, flowing evermore, >In the blessed light of the golden shore. And as I gaze on thy sinless bloom 'And thy radiant face, they dispel my gloom ; I feel He will keep thee undefined, -And His love protect my beautiful child.