The Home Circle | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 1, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 17.

The Home Circle.

IN THE NEST.

GATHER them to your loving heart— Cradle them on your breast; They will soon enough leave your brooding care, Soon enough mount youth's topmost stair— Little ones in the nest.

Fret not that the children's hearts are gay, That their restless feet will run; There may come a time, in the by and by, When you'll sit in your lonely room and sigh For the sound of childish fun.

When you'll long for a repetition sweet That sounded through each room, Of "Mother, mother," the dear love-calls That will echo long in silent halls, And add to the stately gloom.

There may come a time when you'll long to hear The eager, boyish tread, The tuneless whistle, the clear, shrill shout, The busy bustle in and out, And pattering overhead.

When the boys and girls are all grown up, And scattered far and wide, Or gone to the undiscovered shore, Where youth and age come nevermore, You will miss them from your side.

Then gather them close to your loving heart, Cradle them on your breast; They will soon enough leave your brooding care, Soon enough mount youth's topmost stair,— Little ones in the nest. —Unknown.