Art And Nature

With happy smiles and happy sighs,

She kissed the infant's closing eyes,

Then, o'er him in the cradle laid,

Moved her dear lips as if she prayed.

She blessed him in his father's name:

Lo! to her side that father came,

And, in a voice subdued and mild,

He blessed the mother and her child!

I thought upon the proud saloon,

And that Enchantress Queen; but soon,

Far-off Art's fading pageant stole,

And Nature filled my thoughtful soul!