The Christening

Lyrics

Whose child is this they bring        &nbsp Into the aisle? - At so superb a thing The congregation smile And turn their heads awhile. Its eyes are blue and bright,        &nbsp Its cheeks like rose; Its simple robes unite Whitest of calicoes With lawn, and satin bows. A pride in the human race        &nbsp At this paragon Of mortals, lights each face While the old rite goes on; But ah, they are shocked anon. What girl is she who peeps        &nbsp From the gallery stair, Smiles palely, redly weeps, With feverish furtive air As though not fitly there? "I am the baby's mother;        &nbsp This gem of the race The decent fain would smother, And for my deep disgrace I am bidden to leave the place." "Where is the baby's father?" -        &nbsp "In the woods afar. He says there is none he'd rather Meet under moon or star Than me, of all that are. "To clasp me in lovelike weather,        &nbsp Wish fixing when, He says: To be together At will, just now and then, Makes him the blest of men; "But chained and doomed for life        &nbsp To slovening As vulgar man and wife, He says, is another thing: Yea: sweet Love's sepulchring!"