Little Theodore

Lay them in his little hand;—
He will know,—and understand.

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Darling, shall we meet again,
In a world that knows no sorrow?
Where there shall be no more pain,
And no parting comes to-morrow?

Precious gift! love’s priceless dower—
Still our yearning hearts deplore thee,
Marking many a lonely hour,
Still, with tears, till Heaven restore thee.

Bright thy little life’s brief day,
With the rose and lily number’d;—
Waken, darling; rise and play;—
Those sweet eyes too long have slumber’d.

Falling flower and fading spray,
Tenderly thy kind look noted;—
Did they beckon thee away,
Dear, dear child, to death devoted?

Flowers will bloom where snow-flakes fall;
Birds return;—but thou, oh, never!
Comes no answer to my call;—
Have I lost thee, Love, forever?

Hush, my heart,—it cannot be;—
Lo! beyond the grave’s dark portal,
Where thy dearest wait for thee,
Breaks the morning, blest, immortal!

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Darling we shall meet again,
In the home that knows no sorrow,—
Where there shall be no more pain,
And no parting comes to-morrow.