O child! who to this evil world art come, <br />Led by the unseen hand of Him who guards thee, <br />Welcome unto this dungeon-house, thy home! <br />Welcome to all the woe this life awards thee! <br />Upon thy forehead yet the badge of sin <br />Hath worn no trace; thou look'st as though from heaven, <br />But pain, and guilt, and misery lie within; <br />Poor exile! from thy happy birth-land driven. <br />Thine eyes are sealed by the soft hand of sleep, <br />And like unruffled waves thy slumber seems; <br />The time's at hand when thou must wake to weep, <br />Or sleeping, walk a restless world of dreams. <br />How oft, as day by day life's burthen lies <br />Heavier and darker on thy fainting soul, <br />Wilt thou towards heaven turn thy weary eyes, <br />And long in bitterness to reach the goal! <br /> <br />How oft wilt thou, upon Time's flinty road, <br />Gaze at thy far-off early days, in vain! <br />Weeping, how oft wilt thou cast down thy load, <br />And curse and pray, then take it up again! <br />How many times shall the fiend Hope extend <br />Her poisonous chalice to thy thirsty lips! <br />How oft shall Love its withering sunshine lend, <br />To leave thee only a more dark eclipse! <br />How oft shall Sorrow strain thee in her grasp,— <br />How oft shall Sin laugh at thine overthrow— <br />How oft shall Doubt, Despair, and Anguish clasp <br />Their knotted arms around thine aching brow! <br />O living soul, hail to thy narrow cage! <br />Spirit of light, hail to thy gloomy cave! <br />Welcome to longing youth, to loathing age, <br />Welcome, immortal! welcome to the grave!<br /><br />Frances Anne Kemble<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/lines-on-a-sleeping-child/
