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to a beautiful child of five years.
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TO A BEAUTIFUL CHILD OF FIVE YEARS.
Vision of beauty! that hast burst
Upon my gazing sight,
Breathing of grace and loveliness,
All life, and joy, and light;
Within that eye's deep tenderness,
And on that unstained brow,
I trace the fearless confidence
Which sorrow ne'er should bow.

Child of scarce five short years, thyself
Bright as those precious hours
When, Eden-like, the young year smiles
From out its fragrant bowers;
Thy Summer's radiant flowers are strewed
Along thy happy way;
And Hope, sweet childhood's brilliant sun,
Beams forth its cloudless ray.

Sorrow, as yet, upon thy brow
Its signet hath not pressed:
Thou like some spotless spirit art,
All blessing and all blessed.
Thy tears are nature's pearly dew
Which joy's bright sun dispels;
Thy smiles the gushing fount which from
Thy young heart's rapture swells.