Page:Poems and essays (IA poemsessays00howerich).pdf/25
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Acadia.
19
The anxious parent barricades the door,
Then, having cleansed the balsam from his palm,
He bends him down, to where with cheek as calm
As summer ev'nings close, his Infant lies
Breathing as softly as a floweret sighs,
And while a father's transports swell his breast,
A kiss upon its coral lips is press'd.
A look of earnest rapture fondly given,
A prayer, in silent gladness, breathed to Heaven.
Meanwhile his wife, the mother of his child,
His dear companion in the dreary wild,
Spreads o'er his humble board their ev❜ning fare,
And soothes his spirit with assiduous care,
Returns with grateful lips and fond embrace,
The kiss imprinted on her Babe's sweet face.
And while her eye betrays a mother's pride,
Points to her first-born, standing by her side,
Who waits the signal to his arms to spring,
And round his neck with filial transport cling.
Then, having cleansed the balsam from his palm,
He bends him down, to where with cheek as calm
As summer ev'nings close, his Infant lies
Breathing as softly as a floweret sighs,
And while a father's transports swell his breast,
A kiss upon its coral lips is press'd.
A look of earnest rapture fondly given,
A prayer, in silent gladness, breathed to Heaven.
Meanwhile his wife, the mother of his child,
His dear companion in the dreary wild,
Spreads o'er his humble board their ev❜ning fare,
And soothes his spirit with assiduous care,
Returns with grateful lips and fond embrace,
The kiss imprinted on her Babe's sweet face.
And while her eye betrays a mother's pride,
Points to her first-born, standing by her side,
Who waits the signal to his arms to spring,
And round his neck with filial transport cling.
Their supper o'er, the grace with fervor said;
Another log upon the fire is laid,
And, as the blaze its cheering light bestows,
The happy pair their seats together close,
The Father's arm, the Mother's waist entwines,
While on their knees the fair-haired Boy reclines,
A prattling go-between, whose heart o'erflows,
Exchanging kisses each in turn bestows,
And oft he begs the story nightly told,
Of monstrous giants slain by Jack the bold;
Or begs his mother to repeat, once more,
Another log upon the fire is laid,
And, as the blaze its cheering light bestows,
The happy pair their seats together close,
The Father's arm, the Mother's waist entwines,
While on their knees the fair-haired Boy reclines,
A prattling go-between, whose heart o'erflows,
Exchanging kisses each in turn bestows,
And oft he begs the story nightly told,
Of monstrous giants slain by Jack the bold;
Or begs his mother to repeat, once more,