The Baby's Tear.

A tiny drop of crystal dew     That fell from baby eyes of blue;     A shining treasure, there it lay     For grandma's love to wipe away.     A tear of sorrow, pure and meek     It graced our darling's dimpled cheek;     A gem so fair, that angels smiled     And claimed the treasure undefiled.     A sunbeam came with winsome grace     And chased the shadow from her face;     A smile fell from its wings of light     And baby eyes laughed at the sight.     The wee bright tear was kissed away,     Yet in our hearts its sorrow lay;     For like a shadow came the thought,     With pain and sorrow life is wrought.     Oh, baby heart, what will you do     When life's unrest is given you;     And mother-love no more like this     Each tear can banish with a kiss?     The love you brought, oh, baby dear,     Is like the sunbeam passing near;     A ray of light--a touch of gold     To keep our hearts from growing old.     Then may thy life grow strong and sweet     With mother-love to guide thy feet;     And may the sunbeams ever chase     Each shadow, darling from thy face.