THE WONDER-CHILD

‘ Our little babe,’ each said,‘ shall be

Like unto thee’ —‘ Like unto thee!’

‘ Her mother's’ —‘ Nay, his father's’ —‘ eyes,’

‘ Dear curls like thine’ — but each replies,

‘ As thine, all thine, and nought of me.’

What sweet solemnity to see

The little life upon thy knee,

And whisper as so soft it lies,—

‘ Our little babe!’

For, whether it be he or she,

A David or a Dorothy,

‘ As mother fair,’ or‘ father wise,’

Both when it's‘ good,’ and when it cries,

One thing is certain,— it will be

Our little babe.