Poems (Craik)/To my Godchild Alice

by Dinah Maria Craik

TO MY GODCHILD ALICE.

LICE, Alice, little Alice,
My new-christened baby Alice,
 Can there ever rhymes be found
To express my wishes for thee
In a silvery flowing, worthy
 Of that silvery sound?
Bonnie Alice, Lady Alice,
 Sure, this sweetest name must be
A true omen to thee, Alice,
 Of a life's long melody.

Alice, Alice, little Alice,
May st thou prove a golden chalice,
 Filled with holiness like wine:
With rich blessings running o'er
Yet replenished evermore
 From a fount divine:
Alice, Alice, little Alice,
 When this future comes to thee,
In thy young life's brimming chalice
 Keep some drops of balm for me!

Alice, Alice, little Alice,
Mayst thou grow a goodly palace,
 Fitly framed from roof to floors,
Pure unto the inmost centre,
While high thoughts like angels enter
 At the open doors:
Alice, Alice, little Alice,
 When this beauteous sight I see,
In thy woman-heart's wide palace
 Keep one nook of love for me.

Alice, Alice, little Alice,—
Sure the verse halts out of malice
 To the thoughts it feebly bears,
And thy name's soft echoes, ranging
From quaint rhyme to rhyme, are changing
 Into silent prayers.
God be with thee, little Alice,
 Of His bounteousness may He
Fill the chalice, build the palace,
 Here, unto eternity!