Benjamin Penhallow Shillaber (1814–1890)

A TRUTHFUL page is childhood’s lovely face,

Whereon sweet Innocence has record made,—

An outward semblance of the young heart’s grace,

Where truth, and love, and trust are all portrayed.

O blessed childhood! Like the wakening day,

The auroral flash bespeaks thy rising sun,

And spreads a roseate tint about thy way,

And Hope’s gay blossoms open one by one.

Sweet Lillie! As I gaze upon thy brow,

I feel my heart expanding into prayer,

That happiness may e’er maintain as now

The truthful seeming it exhibits there;

May after life no bitterness impart,

But lie, as now, like sunshine round thy heart!