The First Smile

A smile, a smile, my darling !
After the weeks of pain ;
The restless eye, the shaded brow
Lit with a welcome brightness now- -
The first sweet smile again !

A smile, a smile, my darling !
Not many days ago
We hailed the first fair snowdrop, white,
Pale, and sweet in the early light,
After the frost and snow.

More welcome than the snowdrop,
More gladdening than the sun,
The pale sweet smile that dawned at last,
Although so faint, and fleeting fast,
Although the only one.

We hail it as the herald
Of sunny summer days,
Of blessings for our darling boy,
Of peaceful love, and thankful joy,
And fuller note of praise.