Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By NoraPerry

792 Who Knows?

WHO knows the thoughts of a child,

The angel unreconciled

To the new strange world that lies

Outstretched to its wondering eyes?

Who knows if a piteous fear,

Too deep for a sob or a tear,

Is beneath that breathless gaze

Of sudden and swift amaze,—

Some fear from the dim unknown,

Some shadow like black mist blown

Across the heavenly ray

Of this new-come dawning day?

But the smile which as sudden and swift

Breaks through the shadowy rift,—

From what far heaven or near,

What unseen blissful sphere,

Comes the smile of a little child,

This angel unreconciled

To the new, strange world that lies

Outstretched to its wondering eyes?