A Tap At The Door

A hand tapped at my door, low down, low down, I opened lt and saw two eye of hrown, Two llpsofcherry red, A llttle carly bead, A bouny, falry sprlte, In dressof white, Who said, wltli lilted face, "Pupa, good nlght " Sue cllmbed upon my knee, and, kncellng there, Llsped softly, soleinnl}', her little prayer; Her meeting fineer tips, Her pure, swoet baby Ups, 3arrled my muil with her.s, halfunaware I ii 1 1 1 lome clearer and dlvluer air. [ trled to lift ngaln, hut all ia valn, üf scleuiiflc I h. mh i i in' gubMe clialn ; Sa Kinall, so smatl, My learnlng all; Though I could cali eucn star and teil lts place, My chlld's "Our Father" brldged thegulf of Bpace. [ Kit wlth folded hamls, at rest. at rest, Turnlng thls sulinu thought wlthin my breaet : Ho falth would fade If ( ml had ruade !io cuildren In thls world- no baby age- Only tbe prudent man or thoughtiul sage; Only the woman wlse, no llttle arms; fo clasp arounii our neok ; no baby charms, Nu loving cure, No slnleas prayer, íío thrill of llspinesong. no patterlng feet, No iniant heart agalnst our beart to beat. l'hcii If a tiny hand, low down, Tap at thy hearl or door, ah ! do not frown, Bend low to meet The llttle feet, Po clasp the cllnging hand, tbechlld wlll be Nearer lieaven than thee- nearer thau thee