Richard Watson Gilder

I am the laughter of the new-born child
On whose soft-breathing sleep an angel smiled.

I am the laughter of the new-born child
On whose soft-breathing sleep an angel smiled.

Against the darkness outer
God's light his likeness takes,
And he from the mighty doubter
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Against the darkness outer
God's light his likeness takes,
And he from the mighty doubter
The great believer makes.

The smile of her I love is like the dawn
Whose touch makes Menmon sing:
O see read more

The smile of her I love is like the dawn
Whose touch makes Menmon sing:
O see where wide the golden sunlight flows--
The barren desert blossoms as the rose!

What is a Sonnet? 'Tis the pearly shell
That murmurs of the far-off, murmuring sea;
A precious read more

What is a Sonnet? 'Tis the pearly shell
That murmurs of the far-off, murmuring sea;
A precious jewel carved most curiously;
It is a little picture painted well.
What is a Sonnet? 'Tis the tear that fell
From a great poet's hidden ecstasy;
A two-edged sword, a star, a song--ah me!
Sometimes a heavy tolling funeral bell.