Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

Dollie Radford b. 1858

My Little Dear

MY little dear, so fast asleep,

Whose arms about me cling,

What kisses shall she have to keep,

While she is slumbering?

Upon her golden baby-hair,

The golden dreams I ’ll kiss

Which Life spread through my morning fair,

And I have saved, for this.

Upon her baby eyes I ’ll press

The kiss Love gave to me,

When his great joy and loveliness

Made all things fair to see.

And on her lips, with smiles astir,

Ah me, what prayer of old

May now be kissed to comfort her,

Should Love or Life grow cold.