"I'll lend to you for a little time,
A child of mine," he said.
"For you to love while she lives,
and mourn when she is dead.
It may be six or seven years,
or twenty-two or three,
But will you till I call her back
take care of her for me?
She'll bring her charm to gladden you,
and shall her stay be brief,
You'll have her lovely memories
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise she will stay ...
since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.
I've looked the wide world over
in my search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes
I have selected you.
Now will you give her all your love
nor think the labor vain.
Nor hate me when I come to call
to take her back again?"
I fancied that I heard them say,
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done.
For all the joy this child shall bring,
the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter her with tenderness,
We'll love her while we may;
And for the happiness we have known,
we'll forever grateful stay.
But should the Angels call for her
much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
and try to understand!"