I WOULD I WERE A CHILD.

I would I were a child,

That I might look, and laugh, and say, My Father!

And follow Thee with running feet, or rather

Be led thus through the wild.

How I would hold thy hand!

My glad eyes often to thy glory lifting,

Which casts all beauteous shadows, ever shifting,

Over this sea and land.

If a dark thing came near,

I would but creep within thy mantle's folding,

Shut my eyes close, thy hand yet faster holding,

And so forget my fear.

O soul, O soul, rejoice!

Thou art God's child indeed, for all thy sinning;

A trembling child, yet his, and worth the winning

With gentle eyes and voice.

The words like echoes flow.

They are too good; mine I can call them never;

Such water drinking once, I should feel ever

As I had drunk but now.

And yet He said it so;

‘ Twas He who taught our child-lips to say, Father!

Like the poor youth He told of, that did gather

His goods to him, and go.

Ah! Thou dost lead me, God;

But it is dark; no stars; the way is dreary;

Almost I sleep, I am so very weary

Upon this rough hill-road.

Almost! Nay, I do sleep.

There is no darkness save in this my dreaming;

Thy Fatherhood above, around, is beaming;

Thy hand my hand doth keep.

This torpor one sun-gleam

Would break. My soul hath wandered into sleeping;

Dream-shades oppress; I call to Thee with weeping,

Wake me from this my dream.

And as a man doth say,

Lo! I do dream, yet trembleth as he dreameth;

While dim and dream-like his true history seemeth,

Lost in the perished day;

( For heavy, heavy night

Long hours denies the day ) so this dull sorrow

Upon my heart, but half believes a morrow

Will ever bring thy light.

God, art Thou in the room?

Come near my bed; oh! draw aside the curtain;

A child's heart would say Father, were it certain

That it did not presume.

But if this dreary bond

I may not break, help Thou thy helpless sleeper;

Resting in Thee, my sleep will sink the deeper,

All evil dreams beyond.

Father! I dare at length.

My childhood, thy gift, all my claim in speaking;

Sinful, yet hoping, I to Thee come, seeking

Thy tenderness, my strength.