THE LITTLE STEP-SON.
I have a little step-son, the loveliest thing alive;
A noble sturdy boy is he, and yet he's only five;
His smooth cheek hath a blooming glow, his eyes are black as jet,
And his lips are like two rose-buds, all tremulous and wet;
His days pass off in sunshine, in laughter, and in song,
As careless as a summer rill, that sings itself along;
For like a pretty fairy tale, that's all too quickly told,
Is the young life of a little one, that's only five years old.
A noble sturdy boy is he, and yet he's only five;
His smooth cheek hath a blooming glow, his eyes are black as jet,
And his lips are like two rose-buds, all tremulous and wet;
His days pass off in sunshine, in laughter, and in song,
As careless as a summer rill, that sings itself along;
For like a pretty fairy tale, that's all too quickly told,
Is the young life of a little one, that's only five years old.
He's dreaming on his happy couch, before the day grows dark.
He's up with morning's rosy ray a-singing with the lark;
Where'er the flowers are freshest, where'er the grass is green,
With light locks waving on the wind his fairy form is seen,
Amid the whistling March winds, amid the April showers;
He warbles with the singing birds and blossoms with the flowers;
He cares not for the summer heat, he cares not for the cold—
My sturdy little step-son, that's only five years old.
He's up with morning's rosy ray a-singing with the lark;
Where'er the flowers are freshest, where'er the grass is green,
With light locks waving on the wind his fairy form is seen,
Amid the whistling March winds, amid the April showers;
He warbles with the singing birds and blossoms with the flowers;
He cares not for the summer heat, he cares not for the cold—
My sturdy little step-son, that's only five years old.
