AT THE DAWNING by Nancy Patton McLean

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Jun 27, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 26.

AT THE DAWNING.

By Nancy Patton McLean

Out in the hush of the morning breaking There came a twitter of startled bird; I turned to see if the child, awaking, The first faint herald of daylight heard.

Sweet eyes looked love into mine, that love them, In the gray peace of the dawning dim, As the birds woke up to the light above them, Thrilling the air with their matin hymn.

Quiet we lay and smiled to each other, Over the side of the little bed, Till the child said softly, "I hear you, mother." "Darling, I did not speak," I said.

A happy light on her face came playing: "Yes, you is speaking; I hear, I know; Your eyes are talking, I see them saying, 'Dear little girl, I do love you so!'"

Then she nestled down to her restful sleeping, Laying a pink palm 'neath her cheek, With childish trust in the watchful keeping Of the love that needed not to speak.

The birds sang on, and their praises swelling Bore up a prayer on their melody; And the peace that passeth human telling Fell on my little child and me. —Nancy Patton McLean.