Thrice lovely babe! thus hush'd to rest,

Upon thy warrior father's breast!

Avails it, that his eyes behold,

Thy rosy cheeks, thy locks of gold!

Avails it that he bends his ear,

So fondly thy soft breath to hear!

Or, that his rising smiles confess,

A gracious gleam of tenderness!

The sweetest spell will scarce have pow'r

To hold him for one absent hour!

Some plant that ceases thus to share,

A daily friend's auspicious care,

Relaxes in its feeble grasp,

The flow'ry tendrils soon unclasp,

Loose in the heedless aether play,

And every idle breeze obey!

Thus vainly had I sought to bind;

Thus watch'd that light, forgetful mind,

Till smiles and sunshine could restore,

My often-blighted hopes no more!