The Pet of the Cradle

1. [incomplete, missing two lines of verse] bright are the smiles ever beaming from eyes That greet us with pleasure and trust in our care. The toil of a day, may be dearth to a heart; The care of a household the toil of a life But there's joy in the prospect of meeting at home, The "Pet of the Cradle", the smile of a wife. 2. Who love not a child with its innocent smile, And its delicate figure so young and so fair; And who cannot clasp to ones bosom awhile, The joy of a household, the cherish'd one there; We look at its follies and smile to behold The joy that a footstep can bring to the eye, But none like a parent can dare to enfold, The "Pet of the Cradle" so fair and so shy. 3. A home hath its charms be they ever so few, And the fare of the poor is but humble indeed, Yet hearts, with a care that is earnest and true, Look well to the wants of an infant in need. Whatever be the station in sorrow or joy; Whatever be the fate that our fortunes may cast, Our hearts may be true to the circle around, But the "Pet of the Cradle" fares best to the last.