On Parting For A Time With An Infant's Portrait

by Frances Sargent Locke Osgood

Fair image of my fairer child!
Full many a moment's weary wo
By those blue eyes has been beguiled!
How can I let my idol go?

For when my living treasure sleeps,
And hides her bashful glance of glee,
Thy cherub face unchanging keeps
Its precious bloom and smiles for me!

There still I see the flossy hair
That bathes with light her glowing face;
Her dimpled hands so round and fair, --
Her fragile form, -- her childish grace!

Yet go! and with those earnest eyes,
O'ershadow'd by thy silken curl,
Gaze smiling into stranger-hearts,
And bid them bless my fairy girl!