ALICE, Alice, little Alice, <br />My new-christened baby Alice, <br />Can there ever rhymes be found <br />To express my wishes for thee <br />In a silvery flowing, worthy <br />Of that silvery sound? <br />Bonnie Alice, Lady Alice, <br />Sure, this sweetest name must be <br />A true omen to thee, Alice, <br />Of a life's long melody. <br /> <br />Alice, Alice, little Alice, <br />Mayst thou prove a golden chalice, <br />Filled with holiness like wine: <br />With rich blessings running o'er <br />Yet replenished evermore <br />From a fount divine: <br />Alice, Alice, little Alice, <br />When this future comes to thee, <br />In thy young life's brimming chalice <br />Keep some drops of balm for me! <br /> <br />Alice, Alice, little Alice, <br />Mayst thou grow a goodly palace, <br />Fitly framed from roof to floors, <br />Pure unto the inmost centre, <br />While high thoughts like angels enter <br />At the open doors: <br />Alice, Alice, little Alice, <br />When this beauteous sight I see, <br />In thy woman-heart's wide palace <br />Keep one nook of love for me. <br /> <br />Alice, Alice, little Alice,-- <br />Sure the verse halts out of malice <br />To the thoughts it feebly bears, <br />And thy name's soft echoes, ranging <br />From quaint rhyme to rhyme, are changing <br />Into silent prayers. <br />God be with thee, little Alice, <br />Of His bounteousness may He <br />Fill the chalice, build the palace, <br />Here, unto eternity!<br /><br />Dinah Maria Mulock Craik<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-my-godchild-alice/
