“WherehaveIcomefrom, wheredidyoupickmeup?”thebabyaskeditsmother.
Sheansweredhalfcrying, halflaughing, andclaspingthebabytoherbreast,—
“Youwerehiddeninmyheartasitsdesire, mydarling.
Youwereinthedollsofmychildhood’sgames; andwhenwithclayImadetheimageofmygodeverymorning, Imadeandunmadeyouthen.
Youwereenshrinedwithourhouseholddeity, inhisworshipIworshippedyou.
Inallmyhopesandmyloves, inmylife, inthelifeofmymotheryouhavelived.
InthelapofthedeathlessSpiritwhorulesourhomeyouhavebeennursedforages.
Wheningirlhoodmyheartwasopeningitspetals, youhoveredasafragranceaboutit.
Yourtendersoftnessbloomedinmyyouthfullimbs, likeaglowintheskybeforethesunrise.
Heaven’sfirstdarling, twin-bornwiththemorninglight, youhavefloateddownthestreamoftheworld’slife, andatlastyouhavestrandedonmyheart.
AsIgazeonyourface, mysteryover-whelmsme; youwhobelongtoallhavebecomemine.
’streasureintheseslenderarmsofmine?”
