Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
Poems of Home: I. About ChildrenBaby Louise
Margaret Winship Eytinge (Madge Elliot) (b. 1833)I
With your silken hair, and your soft blue eyes,
And the dreamy wisdom that in them lies,
And the faint, sweet smile you brought from the skies,—
God’s sunshine, Baby Louise.
Your hands, like a fairy’s, so tiny and fair,
With a pretty, innocent, saint-like air,
Are you trying to think of some angel-taught prayer
You learned above, Baby Louise?
Why! you never raise your beautiful head!
Some day, little one, your cheek will grow red
With a flush of delight, to hear the word said,
“I love you,” Baby Louise.
I have sung your praises for nearly an hour,
And your lashes keep drooping lower and lower,
And—you ’ve gone to sleep, like a weary flower,
Ungrateful Baby Louise!