Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1855-05-07
THE THREE SONS.

The authm Of this exquisite piece is the Rev.
Thomas Moutrie, an esteemed ciergymaH Of the
church Of England. The conception of the poem is
quite original; the description Of the three little boys
picture for painter the sentiment is extremely
touching.
have sou, n little .on, boy just five years old,
With eyes Of thoughtful earnestnes. and mind Of
gentle mould
Tby Tell me hat unusual grace in all his appear,
That my child is grave and wise IF heart beyond his
childish years.
Te,anot say how this may be. know his face is fair
AID yet his chiefest coneiness is his sweet and SC.
rous air;
know his heart is kinI and fond, know he loveth
me,
Du, lovclh yet his mother more With grateful fer.
yency;
Bat that viii Others m ,st admire is the thought
which fills his mind.
The food fer grave inqulring speech he everywhere
ddh find.
Strange questions doth he ask Of me- when we to-
gether walk;
He scarcely thinks children think, or talks as
chil!rn talk.
Nor I've much for childish sports, dotes not on
bat or bait.
But looks manhoods ways and works, ana APPLY
miInics all.
His tie heart is busy still and oftentlmcs perpext
With thoughts about this world Of ours, and thoughts
about the next;
lie kne's at his dear mothers knee, she teacheth him
,opsay,
And strange and sweet and solemn then, are the
words which he will say.
Oh, should my gentle child be spared to manhood's
years, Ike me,
boiler anda wiser man tiust that he will be;
Aud WHEN look INTO hseyes and stroke his thought
full brow,
/ dare not TIN K what should feel, were to lose
have son-a second son-a simple Child Of three:
III not declare how bright and fair his little features
How silver sweet those tones Of his when he prattles
on my knee.
do no, NIX his light blue eye is, like his brothers.
keen,
Nor his bow SO full Of childish thought as his hath
ever been;
But his little hearts untain pure of kind and
tender cling,
Ard every look CLEAN Of light rich depths of
When he walks with me- the country folk, who pass
US IN the street,
Will shout for joy aud bless my boy, he looks so
mild aud sweet.
play FELLOW is he t" ALL and yet with cheerful tone
WI sing his little songs OF love- when left to port
alone,
His presence is like sunshine sent % gladden. home
and hearth,
10 comfort us ia all our efs and swecten all cur
mirth.
Should he grow up TO r.per years, God grant his
heart may prove
As a home tor heavenly grace, as for
earthly love.
And if beside his grave the tears our aching ewes
God comfort US for all the love which VIC shall lose
in him.
have son, third sweet son; his age cannot TELL
Tor they reckon not by years and mouths where he
has gone to dwell.
~ US tor fourteen anxious months his infant smiles
aud then he bid farewell to earth, and went to live
in Heaven.
lcannot tell wha. form is his, what look he wear
:. eth now.
Nor guess how bright glory crowns his shining ser
ias thoughts that oil his sinicss soul the bliss which
he doth feel.
Are numbered with the secret things which God will
not reveal;
But know flor God hath told me thiO that he is
"heIe other blessed infants be, on their Saviors low
=, ing breast.
Know his spirit feels no more this weary load Of
6esh,
but his sleep i. bless with epd,cs. dreams Of 10,
know the angels fold him elise beneath their gilt
tering wings,
And sooth him with song that breathes Of Heay-
=, ems divinest things.
Know that We shall meet our babe his mother dear
and IL
where God for aye shall wipe away all tears from
IT, every eye.
befals his brethren twain HIS bliss can rev.
CT cease:
Their lot may here be grief and fear bat HIS Is GER
:. tain peace.
"may be that the tcmpter's wiles their souls from
~. bliss may sever,
Dub our own poor faith fail not, HE must be ours
forever.
When -. ,l., .-,.2 -,
M still must be.
when We muse on that worlds perfect bliss; and THU
", worlds misery;
"nea We groan beneath this load Of sin, and fee
oa, this grief ana pain;
"a We'd rather lose oar other two than have him
here again.