O Thou dread Power, who reign'st above, I know thou wilt me hear, When for this scene of peace and love, I make this prayer sincere. The hoary Sire -- the mortal stroke, Long, long be pleas'd to spare; To bless this little filial flock, And show what good men are. She, who her lovely offspring eyes With tender hopes and fears, O bless her with a mother's joys, But spare a mother's tears! Their hope, their stay, their darling youth. In manhood's dawning blush, Bless him, Thou God of love and truth, Up to a parent's wish. The beauteous, seraph sister-band -- With earnest tears I pray -- Thou know'st the snares on ev'ry hand, Guide Thou their steps alway. When, soon or late, they reach that coast, O'er Life's rough ocean driven, May they rejoice, no wand'rer lost, A family in Heaven! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...RAIN ON THE ROOF (1) by COATES KINNEY THE OLD BRIDGE AT FLORENCE; SONNET by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW HEINE'S GRAVE by MATTHEW ARNOLD A GARGOYLE by ARTHUR STANLEY BOURINOT FLEUR DE LIS by GRACE EVELYN BROWN |