Fraser, William, "On a Little Girl." in The Bijou; (London: William Pickering , 1828)
   
      
         
            
               The Bijou; 
               or Annual of Literature and the Arts
            
            compiled by William Fraser
            
            
               
                  William Pickering
               
               London
            
            1828
            
               
                  pp. 198-199
               
            
         
      
      
         
             198 
            
               On a Little Girl
            
            
               By William Fraser
            
            
               THAT beautiful and starry brow,
               With youth and joy all splendent now — 
               Can it be marred by years?
               That passionless and stainless breast,
               Where innocence hath raised her nest — 
               Must it be racked by fears?
               That glowing cheek and sun- bright eye
               Whence laughter wings its archery — 
               Will it be stained with tears?
               Such is, alas! the bitter doom
               That waits each tenant of the tomb; — 
               And how canst thou, young bud of beauty be,
               Excluded from the pale of destiny!
            
            
            
               But years will pass nor leave behind
               One stain upon thy seraph mind — 
               Then, come, thou fearful age!
               And fears that rack thy breast may prove
               The token sure of passionate love — 
               Such is love's heritage!
            
            
             199 
            
               And tears from pity's fount will flow,
               And on the cheek full sunny glow,
               Of joy the fond presage!
               Thy days shall onward wing their way,
               Like the month of fragrance- breathing May;
               Or should Grief come thy beauties to enshroud
               It shall pass o'er thee like an April cloud.