Home Verses.

Sweetest little sister ! child1
                        
                        With affections unbeguiled—2
                        
                        Winning manners—gay, yet mild—3
                        
                        Darling little Orah !4
                        Full of play—yet serious, too—5
                        
                        What a fount of feeling true6
                        
                        Doth the speaking eyes bedew7
                        
                        Of our little Orah !8
                        Like the rivulets, thy glee9
                        
                        Sparkles ever bright and free ;10
                        
                        Sorrow is unknown to thee,11
                        
                        Joyous little Orah !12
                        Sympathy in grief—or fear13
                        
                        Of a danger drawing near,14
                        
                        Only steals a passing tear15
                        
                        From our little Orah !16
                        And anon the clouds depart—17
                        
                        The clear sunshine of the heart18
                        
                        Bursts, and shews us what thou art,19
                        
                        Sunny little Orah !20
                        Every wave on life’s rough sea21
                        
                        Bears some treasure unto thee ;22
                        
                        And their gloom thou dost not see,23
                        
                        Merry little Orah !24
                        Pleasant thoughts thy bosom fill—25
                        
                        Thoughts unmarr’d by human ill :26
                        
                        Frosts of time our feelings chill—27
                        
                        Not our happy Orah’s !28
                        Every day upon its wings29
                        
                        Gladness to thy young heart brings—30
                        
                        And thou mourn’st not passing things,31
                        
                        Thoughtless little Orah !32
                        May thy sunshine be as clear,33
                        
                        Dear one !  in each future year—34
                        
                        May thy treasures ne’er grow sere,35
                        
                        Precious little Orah !36
                        May thy young heart be the shrine37
                        
                        Of a faith and love divine !38
                        
                        Hope that feareth no decline39
                        
                        Be our darling Orah’s !40
                        So when trials throng thy way,41
                        
                        As, alas !  ere long they may !42
                        
                        Joys exempt from time’s decay43
                        
                        Shall enrich thee, Orah !44