THE INFANT'S ADDRESS TO DEPARTING DAY

LIGHT.

BEAUTIFUL Day-light, stay, oh, stay,
Nor fly from the world and me away,
To darken the skies, so blue and bright,
And take the green fields from my lonely sight.
No birds then will talk to me from the tall tree,
Nor flowers appear looking and laughing on me.
Kind voices I hear, and kind faces I view;
But I can't talk with them, little birds, as with you:
I know not their language, their ways, and
their looks,

Nor care for their candles, pens, pencils, and books.

Then, beautiful Day-light, fly not yet!

Few suns have I ever seen rise or set;

And when each day with its pleasures is o'er,
I fear they will never come back any more.
A stranger I am in this world below,

And have much of its wonders to mark and know:
I want to see more of each new fairy scene,

To trace sounds and objects, and learn what they mean;

Το gaze on the features of her in whose breast
I am fed, and folded, and sung into rest,

Who kisses me softly, and calls me her dear,
And all the new friends that are kind to me here.
Then stay, sweet Day-light, mine eyes to bless!
I know Night little, and love it still less.

The place that I came from had nothing of shade,
In beauty and glory for ever arrayed :
There angel forms were smiling and singing,
Andwaving their wings in the Day-light springing
From God's own face, like a fountain flowing

With rays sun and moon must fail in bestowing.

K

I scarcely remember that land of bliss ;
But I love what is brightest and purest in this:
And if upon one of those clouds I could lie,
That have run to the verge of the western sky,
And there, in rosy companionship seated,

Look down on the sun from earth retreated;
If aloft in its bright fleecy folds I could lay me,
And call on the winds through the skies to

convey me,

I'd ride round the world, the perennial attendant On Day-light, wherever it shone most resplendent; Over hills, over fogs, I would take my glad flight, And bathe and revel in rivers of light.

The moon and the stars I would leave behind; Nor stoop any object on earth to mind;

Unless for her baby dear mother should cry: Then I'd glide down to tell her how happy was I; I'd kiss off her tears, and wish her good day, And again on my travels away, away!

Sweet bird, thy suit it is vain to press,

The Day-light heeds not thy fond address:
On glittering pinion away he hies,

To meet other wishes, and light other skies:
The will of his God he goes to obey,
Nor at earthly bidding will haste or stay.
A child of light, sweet bird, thou art now,
Nor needest a veil for thy conscious brow:
No deeds thy tiny hands have done

Need fear the broad eye of the flaring sun;

And the pleasant and pure of this world of woe, Is all thy delicate spirit can know.

But ah, my baby! the day may appear

When the light shall be loathed as it now is dear; When thy red-rolling eye, that can weep no more, The relief of night shall in vain implore!

The billows and storms of a heart-breaking world O'er each young illusion too soon may be hurled ;

May wring thee, may wreck thee, till all is riven, But the friendship of God and the refuge of heaven. Yet baby, my baby, if these shall be thine,

Thou'lt not want a spot where thy head may recline;

Thou❜lt not want a light in this world of dismay To guide thee from danger, or solace thy way: The bright Sun of Righteousness never declines, The light of the Gospel eternally shines;

Adds zest to our joys, plucks the sting from our

woes,

Lends peace to our life, and joy to its close.
This light, my boy, be it thine to prize!

It ne'er will withdraw from thy favoured eyes:
Come joy, or come sorrow, the same it will stay,
And shine more and more to the perfect day;
Till grace is glory, and faith is sight,

And God, as at first, 'mid His sons of light,
Receives His homage of song and love,

And thou art with Him for ever above.