TO MY DAUGHTER MARY ANN, ASLEEP.

Sweetly asleep is Mary Ann, In calmest infantile repose Her lovely face no longer wan, Seems lovelier still when in a doze.

Sleep on, my babe, I'll not disturb, Thy silent rest I love to view; For now thou needest not the curb I use in trying to subdue

Thy peevish temper, which, I ween Needs constant care from me, thy site, While through thy childish ways are seen Thy passions strong in wildest fire.

Sleep on, my child, some future day May see thee walking in God's ways. For this great blessing will I pray Still guided by the Truth's clear rays.

Sleep on, my little girl, till morn, And when awake pursue thy play; Yet, when grown up, may'st thou adorn The sphere in which thou mov'st by day.

Sleep on, my daughter, sleep in peace. Thou has been toiling through the day. Thy little tongue doth seldom cease From talking much in thy own way.

Sleep on, sweet prattler, and may bright Angelic Spirits guard thee round, Till Sol with his resplendent light Doth break thy slumbers quite profound.

Yes, sleep, my child, through every night, As fast revolving years proceed. By day enjoy the heavenly light, Of which we in the Bible read.

But oh, sleep not when duties bid My girl awake to run the race Which Christians run, when thorns amid May make her see her need of Grace.

And oh, sleep not in ways of sin, For dangers lurk with serpent wiles; And false security within, Each unsuspecting mind beguiles.

And when the solemn time arrives For thee to sleep in death at peace, And thy pure spirit strongly strives To gain her longed-for wished release,

O, may she mount to yon abode Where God's blest Saints and Angels dwell; And there rejoice in him who trode The path to death to save from hell.