Mother and Child

In a cradle of pink and white a child, A lovely angel that a hymn was lulling; In the mother's holy gaze how much hope, Over the child, drunk with love, tenderly she watched!… Oh! how beautiful is the child of my soul!… Sleep, my dear, I am with you, just so… When you awaken, the palm of tenderness And your kisses shall be only for me!… Oh! how beautiful!… God, take my life If You should take him from me, tomorrow… Keep him well, I beg You, deeply moved!… Already his mouth has murmured: Mama!!!. This name so sweet… and watches it grows In springtime like a ray of sun… It is a word of love whose harmony Makes us dream of heaven in a soft voice!… Oh! when I am entwined within his arms, When upon my breast I hear his heart, I am happy, my soul enraptured, A happy sharer of sublime emotion… He is everything to me… He is my dream! To live for him alone… is my lot. Sap of my love alive and smiling, From this cradle death must keep away!!!… Soon, my God, held safe by me, I shall see him try his first steps!… Oh! what a happy day… come, come, future… I fear you will not reach my arms! And more still, in my hope I see him grown, and virtuous and honored, The purity of childhood's time Having guarded, to lead him happily. Oh! how beautiful… God, take my life If misfortune should strike him down tomorrow! Preserve him, I implore, in gratitude, Already his mouth has murmured: Mama!!… But he is cold… and pale his lip! Awaken, child of my heart!

Come upon my breast… O God, You are wise, See that he is frozen… And I tremble, then!! Ah! the end has come! He has ceased to live! Misfortune upon me! I have lost my child! God without pity… I am enraged… You are not a God of love and just radiance! This angel of innocence that You made To take him already from my love?… I abjure my belief, here, once and for all… And before Your eyes I die in my sorrow… “Mother!… It is I!… My soul took flight “And the Eternal sent me back to your feet. “Renounce the rage that has stained you, mother; “Return to God… I bring you Faith, here!… “Bow to the laws of God for your own good. “You are a guilty mother, in a distant past… “You too caused a child of yours to die: “God has punished you!… It is given you now to pay for it! “Take this book; it will calm you. “Dictated by Spirits, the path, “If you read it, mother, will surely show “Where one day, in heaven, you shall have your child!!! Your Guardian angel.

Allan Kardec.

Paris. — Typ. de Cosson et Ce rue du Four-St-Germain, 43.