R
Robert Harrison
Guest
With tenderness did I first hold you in my arms, my child.
My first-born babe, my daughter whose life would entwine
itself with mine. For we did by blood, inherit the love of
England’s fields and flowers. All that did run and creep
and fly did by gift belong to us.
Oh, thou of beauty fair, whose tresses of golden sunlight
did garland thy face in framed perfection to others envy.
In childish glee did thou set thy path to follow that of thy
father, who in joy did find happiness in the company of
thine innocence.
We two, with delight in our hearts did seek that in natures
bounteous beauty, freely given, and eagerly sought, all that
was minute to others eyes. Thus in perfect relationship did
thou impart unto I and I likewise unto thee a bond of
indissoluble cord.
Thou had been blessed with a beauty far beyond that of the
angels, and thy joyous laughter did in merriment ring over
field and placid waters of shaded canal, And in joyful salutation
thou didst wave thy childish hand to horse and barge master
who did gait the narrow towpath.
Oh, how in sorrow did thy father commit to memory thy cruel stipulation.
And in suffering did curse that very thing which did bring us joy.
For in thy confinement, nature did with hold from thee those joys
which thou and I shared in happier times, when contentment in
each others company was secure.
Thou art my daughter, my joy, and my love for thee ever grows,
as in quiet moments of guarded reflection, I relive times past, when
thou and I shared the blessings of each others contented company.
Thou art the fairest of all my treasured gifts which God has, in His
wisdom, seen fit to bestow upon I, thy father.
My first-born babe, my daughter whose life would entwine
itself with mine. For we did by blood, inherit the love of
England’s fields and flowers. All that did run and creep
and fly did by gift belong to us.
Oh, thou of beauty fair, whose tresses of golden sunlight
did garland thy face in framed perfection to others envy.
In childish glee did thou set thy path to follow that of thy
father, who in joy did find happiness in the company of
thine innocence.
We two, with delight in our hearts did seek that in natures
bounteous beauty, freely given, and eagerly sought, all that
was minute to others eyes. Thus in perfect relationship did
thou impart unto I and I likewise unto thee a bond of
indissoluble cord.
Thou had been blessed with a beauty far beyond that of the
angels, and thy joyous laughter did in merriment ring over
field and placid waters of shaded canal, And in joyful salutation
thou didst wave thy childish hand to horse and barge master
who did gait the narrow towpath.
Oh, how in sorrow did thy father commit to memory thy cruel stipulation.
And in suffering did curse that very thing which did bring us joy.
For in thy confinement, nature did with hold from thee those joys
which thou and I shared in happier times, when contentment in
each others company was secure.
Thou art my daughter, my joy, and my love for thee ever grows,
as in quiet moments of guarded reflection, I relive times past, when
thou and I shared the blessings of each others contented company.
Thou art the fairest of all my treasured gifts which God has, in His
wisdom, seen fit to bestow upon I, thy father.
