Sleep on, my child, in peaceful rest,
While lovely visions round thee play;
No care or grief has touched thy breast,
Thy life is yet a cloudless day.
Far distant is my childhood's home--
No mother's smiles--no father's care!
Oh! how I'd love again to roam,
Where once my little playmates were!
Sleep on, thou hast not felt the chain;
But though 'tis yet unmingled joy,
I may not see those smiles again,
Nor clasp thee to my breast, my boy.
And must I see thee toil and bleed!
Thy manly soul in fetters tied;
'Twill wring thy mother's heart indeed--
Oh! would to God that I had died!
That soul God's own bright image bears--
But oh! no tongue thy woes can tell;
Thy lot is cast in blood and tears,
And soon these lips must say--farewell!