Valentine to a Little Child

Dear heart, on this thrice-blessed day,

And thou my sweetheart be,

The rose of love shall bide alway

Upon the red-rose tree.

And in the garden of my heart

So ceaselessly shall shine,

The little birds will know thou art

Mine own true Valentine.

And I will bid them wing and sing

To all good winds that blow,

That to thy little feet they bring

All blessings, even so.

And o'er thy cradle I will coax,

By every lucky charm,

The friendship of the fairy folks

To fold thee from all harm.

So may they hover round thy head

And gently there upon,

As doth the April sunshine, shed

Most gracious benison.

And all fair gifts that Fortune hath,

I'll pray she promise these,

And that she loose about thy path

All sweet influences.

Then here's a kiss! and there's a kiss!

And kisses, one, two, three!

I seal them in the folds of this,

And speed them unto thee!

- Evaleen Stein