BLESSINGS on thee, darling boy, Peace and love and gentle joy! May the coronal they twine Through the dream of life be thine! Little hast thou known of life, Of its sorrow, of its strife, Thine not yet dark Future's blast, Thine not yet a shadowy Past. While we reck of coming years, Strangely mingling hopes and fears, What are sober thoughts to thee, In the tide of birthday glee! Thou art beautiful and bright, Daily wakening new delight, Would that we the prize could hold, Always keep thee three years old! No, not always; thou may'st be Something brighter yet to see; Noble-hearted, lofty-souled, When more years have o'er thee rolled. Love is watching round thee now, Tracing sunbeams on thy brow; Never be her mission done To thy father's only son! Yet a higher, deeper love Watcheth o'er thee from above; Then thy fount of motive be Love to Him who loveth thee. Darling, may thy years below Like a strain of music flow, Ever sweeter, purer, higher, Till it swell the angel choir. Be thy life a star of light, Glistening through earth's stormy night, Shining then with glorious ray Through the One Eternal Day! |