They praised the baby's dimpled hands,
His brow so broad and fair,
They kiss the dainty rose-bud mouth,
Caress the sunny hair.
His lisping words, his tottling steps,
His smiles they praise and prize,
They love him for his cunning ways,
I love him for his eyes.
The wealth of golden tinted curls
Old Time will streak with snow;
The rose-bud mouth so dainty curved
To sterner lines will grow.
The fleeting years will mark with change
Each feature now they prize,
Save only the sweet eyes I love —
I love him for his eyes.
Those wondrous, wondrous soulful eyes,
How strange the spell they fling
Unconsciously around my heart;
What memories they bring!
What buried hours come thronging back —
A distant, dearer clime —
Another pair of love-lit eyes,
Another summer time.
Oh, baby, take your eyes away:
They burn into my heart!
I'll kiss you once, and say good-by,
And hid the tears that start;
But through the years to come and go,
The changeful scenes to rise,
I'll love the little baby boy —
I love him for his eyes.