ON
A
CHILD'S
BIRTH
DAY
.
Smiling
blessings
,
pleasures
gay
,
Grace
sweet
Shirley's
natal
day
,
Brighten
still
her
opening
scene
,
Ever
be
the
day
serene
!
May
each
virtue
grace
her
mind
,
Her
temper
meek
,
her
sense
refined
,
Be
her
gentle
,
guiltless
breast
,
The
fair
abode
of
peace
and
rest
!
Innocence
her
steps
await
,
And
shield
her
from
the
storms
of
fate
;
Virtue
be
her
darling
pride
,
And
guardian
angels
be
her
guide
;
May
kind
Heaven's
protecting
power
,
Shield
her
to
her
latest
hour
!
Deign
to
aid
a
parent's
care
,
To
make
her
good
as
she
is
fair
!
And
may
sweet
Shirley
still
inherit
,
Her
mother's
virtues
,
father's
spirit
!