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CHILDHOOD.
A child of scarcely seven years,
Light-haired, and fair as any lily,
With pure eyes ready in their tears
At chiding words, or glances chilly,
And sudden smiles, as inly bright
As lamps through alabaster shining,
With ready mirth, and fancies light,
Dashed with strange dreams of child-divining;
A child in all infantile grace,
With paradise still pictured in her face.
Light-haired, and fair as any lily,
With pure eyes ready in their tears
At chiding words, or glances chilly,
And sudden smiles, as inly bright
As lamps through alabaster shining,
With ready mirth, and fancies light,
Dashed with strange dreams of child-divining;
A child in all infantile grace,
With paradise still pictured in her face.
A curious, eager, questioning child,
Whose logic leads to naive conclusions,
Her little knowledge reconciled
To truth amid some odd confusions,
Yet credulous, and loving much
The problems hardest for her reason,
Placing her lovely faith on such,
And deeming disbelief a treason;
Doubting that which she can disprove,
And wisely trusting all the rest to love.
Whose logic leads to naive conclusions,
Her little knowledge reconciled
To truth amid some odd confusions,
Yet credulous, and loving much
The problems hardest for her reason,
Placing her lovely faith on such,
And deeming disbelief a treason;
Doubting that which she can disprove,
And wisely trusting all the rest to love.
Such graces dwell beside your hearth,
And bless you in a priceless pleasure,
Leaving no sweeter spot on earth
Than that which holds your household treasure.
And bless you in a priceless pleasure,
Leaving no sweeter spot on earth
Than that which holds your household treasure.
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