Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/The Star and the Child

The Star and the Child.

A maiden walked at eventide Beside a clear and placid stream,And smiled, as in its depths she saw A trembling star's reflected beam.

She smiled until the beam was lost, As 'cross the sky a cloud was driven;And then she sighed, and then forgot The star was shining still in heaven.

A mother sat beside life's stream, Watching a dying child at dawn,And smiled, as from its eye she caught A hope that it might still live on.

She smiled until the eyelids closed, But watched for breath until the even;And' then she wept, and then forgot The child was living still in heaven.