Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BOY PAINTER, by FRANCES SARGENT OSGOOD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BOY PAINTER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A little heart where slept the germ, as yet in night concealed
Last Line: And a world's tears the fruit embalm in many a classic bower
Alternate Author Name(s): Vane, Violet
Subject(s): Mothers; West, Benjamin (1738-1820)


A LITTLE heart where slept the germ, as yet in night concealed,
Of power and glory since to be (how radiantly) reveal'd,
Alone, beside a cradle bed, was beating fast and warm,
Where, beautiful in slumber, lay a baby's dimpled form.

The infant smiled in sleep, and lo! a little ardent hand,
Ere fled the smile, had snatch'd a pen and paper from the stand,
And traced the cradle and the babe, as if by magic spell;
How soft, beneath that tiny touch, the fairy features fell.

How fondly o'er the playful sketch he bends -- the enraptured boy --
Unmindful of his precious charge, so deep his dream of joy,
'T is broken by a stealing step -- his mother caught the prize,
And kiss'd away the cloud of doubt that fill'd his timid eyes.

Oh! blessed love! how mighty thou to sway the human heart
A subtle yet a holy thing, and conqueror thou art!
His sister's smile awoke the germ, his mother's kiss the flower
And a world's tears the fruit embalm in many a classic bower





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