THE SOURCE

    THE sleep that flits on baby's eyes——does anybody know from where it comes？ Yes, there is a rumour¹ that it has its dwelling² where, in the fairy village among shadows of the forest dimly lit with glow-worms, there hang two shy buds of enchantment³. From there it comes to kiss baby's eyes.

    The smile that flickers⁴ on baby's lips when he sleeps——does anybody know where it was born？ Yes, there is a rumour that a young pale beam of a crescent moon touched the edge of a vanishing autumn cloud, and there the smile was first born in the dream of a dew-washed morning——the smile that flickers on baby's lips when he sleeps.

    The sweet, soft freshness that blooms on baby's limbs——does anybody know where it was hidden so long？ Yes, when the mother was a young girl it lay pervading⁵ her heart in tender and silent mystery of love——the sweet, soft freshness that has bloomed on baby's limbs.