Poems (Charlotte Allen)/On listening to the Laughter of Children
ON LISTENING TO THE LAUGHTER OF CHILDREN.
Laugh on! laugh on in thy sportive mirth, Laugh on in thy childish glee;I love the shout of thy joyous hearts, In their undimmed brilliancy.Laugh on! I love thy unhidden joy, Thy feelings so bright and free,—They breathe in such sweet and happy strains Of thy young soul's purity.
Enjoy thy sports while thy life is fresh, While thy youthful eyes are bright;Ere the glittering scenes of childhood's dreams, Shall have bowed to sorrow's blight. There will come an hour to one and all, When the light of youth hath fled,That will tell thy heart its joyousness With the wings of Time hath sped.
Laugh on! while thy sunny, smiling brows; Are untouched by earthly cares;Ere thy spirit's innate buoyancy, A graver aspect wears.Laugh on! there's nought like childhood's power, To kindle deep emotion;For childhood's memories lie hid, Like pearls within the ocean.