| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| Sara Coleridge. 1802–1850 |
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| 662. The Child |
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| SEE yon blithe child that dances in our sight! | |
| Can gloomy shadows fall from one so bright? | |
| Fond mother, whence these fears? | |
| While buoyantly he rushes o'er the lawn, | |
| Dream not of clouds to stain his manhood's dawn, | 5 |
| Nor dim that sight with tears. | |
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| No cloud he spies in brightly glowing hours, | |
| But feels as if the newly vested bowers | |
| For him could never fade: | |
| Too well we know that vernal pleasures fleet, | 10 |
| But having him, so gladsome, fair, and sweet, | |
| Our loss is overpaid. | |
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| Amid the balmiest flowers that earth can give | |
| Some bitter drops distil, and all that live | |
| A mingled portion share; | 15 |
| But, while he learns these truths which we lament, | |
| Such fortitude as ours will sure be sent, | |
| Such solace to his care. | |
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