Gazette Of The United States

THE EFFUSION OF A GENTLEMAN.

JUST BEFORE HIS GOING TO PRISON, ON SEEING HIS CHILD ASLEEP.

OFT Babe! sweet image of a harmless mind!
How calm that sleep which innocence enjoys!
The smiling cheek thou in thy slumber wear'st.
Is Nature's language for a gentle heart;
It says all's peace within. It is thy right;
It is the blest privilege of thy tender age
To wake, or sleep in peace; to know no fears,
To dread no ill, to smile on friend and foe.
Could gazing catch that look or cordial peace,
My ardent eye I'd fix so pluck it thence,
And plant it in my breast.—In vain that thought:
Heaven this bliss to sinful man denies;
'Tis Virtue's crown; and e'en an Angel's wealth.
Sleep on, mild infant; sleep, and never know
What thy fond Parent feels; now feels for thee,
Though thou feel'st nought. May kind heaven grant
Thou never wake again. How sweet to pass
From Earth to Heaven on so soft a wing!
Those looks would fix a smile on Death's cheek.
I must away; relentless Law compels;
I'll take thee too; thou in a cell can'st sleep,
And play within the horrors of a goal.
Thy father sleeps no more. "What then? I'll watch
Thy sleeping hours; and when thou smil'st, I'll smile:
Smile e'en in misery; wipe my streaming eye,
Then smile again.—Will law forbid me this?
Thy mother in her peaceful tomb is laid;
Silent her griefs, which fretted life away;
At sight of thee her tender heart would bleed;
It bled for others woes; for thine 'twould stream.
Thou know'st, my God, by thy great pattern taught,
I never turn'd my eye, nor shut my heart
From any wretch that walk'd this earth in pain
When thy rich blessings on my head were pour'd
Thou led'st my heart, since goodness comes from thee,
To seek out misery in her bashful path,
And did my utmost every wound to heal.
Some virtuous mind thou'lt touch:
Then guide him to my cell! my chains he'll break,
And light to me, and to this Babe, restore.

B.