I saw a fair young mother sitting, With a babe upon her knee; Fast through‘ er mind sweet thoughts were flitting — So it did appeal to me.
Her eyes with fondest smiles were beaming On that infant's lovely face; She seemed upon the future dreaming, And I tried her dream to trace.
While her face with love was glowing, As her babe looked up and smiled; Thus I sketched her numbers flowing Freely forth unto her child:
“Charming boy, in beauty vieing With the fairest rose I see; This I need not be denying, That thou dearer art to me.
“Whilst thou slept, I fell to musing On thy present happy lot; And thy future for thee choosing, Soon all other thoughts forgot.
“Thus I chose at first to paint thee — Growing up toward thy teens; No corruption near to taint thee Passing through thy boyish scenes.
“Then I traced out all the labor Which I would bestow on thee, That thou mightest grow in favor With the Lord, as well as me.
“Next I viewed thy mind expanding, With the best of knowledge stored: Light divine, and understanding Gained from God's most holy Word.
“Years flew by; thou wert approaching Very near to man's estate, And, to those, around, wert broaching Thy deep thoughts, with soul elate!
“Again I saw thee; thou wert coming To the heights of world-wide fame; My fears arose, I saw ills looming, And bid thee guard thy spotless name.
“I looked again, and found thee wooing Damsel modest, rich and fair; And wicked men sought thy undoing, Ere thou wert the least aware.
“But, thanks to God! He did preserve thee — Gave thee, too, a lovely wife; For duty this afresh did nerve thee, Struggling with the ills of life.
“Again the vision passed before me, But some years had fled away; Thou hadst been sick, the Lord restored thee — Children were around at play.
“I saw thy wife and thee were growing In sweetest chaste conjugal love; To things of God attention showing, Fitting you for bliss above.
“The curtain drops: thy smiles recall me To discharge my duties right; Rich mercies I enjoy console me For the loss of Vision bright.”
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