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Before You Came

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 9, 1915

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 61.

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Before You Came

By Judd Mortimer Lewis

BEFORE you came, we thought we knew All of life's happiness; The clouds were white against the blue, The breeze was a caress; The violets were dewy wet Beside the cottage door, And we walked hand in hand, and let The world go by—before.
Before you came. And then your cry Came thin across the morn; Faintly it came; and by and by, The morning you were born, The white-capped nurse drew gently near,— Ah, but she felt and knew All my heart held of love and fear,— And brought me word of you!
Of you! For you I had no thought, For you I had no care! For her! Ah, I was overwrought, 'Twixt hoping and despair! The night had dragged a weary length, And fearing for her loss Had brought me, sapped of human strength, Prostrate before the cross!
Now we two bend above your bed; And you are all we know Of happiness. Your fuzzy head, Your baby cheeks aglow, Your hands held up for her caress, Your gurglings, more and more You bring to us a happiness We never dreamed before!
— Judd Mortimer Lewis.