This day among the faithful placed, <br />And fed with fontal manna, <br />O with maternal title graced <br />Dear Anna's dearest Anna!-- <br /> <br />While others wish thee wise and fair, <br />A maid of spotless fame, <br />I'll breathe this more compendious prayer-- <br />May'st thou deserve thy name! <br /> <br />Thy mother's name--a potent spell, <br />That bids the virtues hie <br />From mystic grove and living cell <br />Confess'd to fancy's eye;-- <br /> <br />Meek quietness without offence; <br />Content in homespun kirtle; <br />True love; and true love's innocence, <br />White blossom of the myrtle! <br /> <br />Associates of thy name, sweet child! <br />These virtues may'st thou win; <br />With face as eloquently mild <br />To say, they lodge within. <br /> <br />So, when her tale of days all flown, <br />Thy mother shall be mist here; <br />When Heaven at length shall claim its own, <br />And angels snatch their sister; <br /> <br />Some hoary-headed friend, perchance, <br />May gaze with stifled breath; <br />And oft, in momentary trance, <br />Forget the waste of death. <br /> <br />Ev'n thus a lovely rose I view'd, <br />In summer-swelling pride; <br />Nor mark'd the bud, that green and rude <br />Peep'd at the rose's side. <br /> <br />It chanced, I pass'd again that way <br />In autumn's latest hour, <br />And wond'ring saw the selfsame spray <br />Rich with the selfsame flower. <br /> <br />Ah, fond deceit! the rude green bud <br />Alike in shape, place, name, <br />Had bloom'd, where bloom'd its parent stud, <br />Another and the same!<br /><br />Samuel Taylor Coleridge<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-the-christening-of-a-friend-s-child/
