"I'll lend you a little child,
A child of mine", He said,
"For you to love the while she lives,
And mourn for when she's dead.

It may be six or seven years,
Or tewnty two or three,
But will you, till I call her back,
Take care of her for me?

She will bring her charms to gladden you,
An should her stay be brief,
You'll have her loving memory,
As solace for your Grief.

I cannot promise that she will stay,
For all from Earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there,
I want my child to learn.

I've looked the wide world over,
In my search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected you.

Now will you give her all your love,
Nor think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when at last I come,
To call her back again?"

I fancied that I heard them say,
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy the child shall bring,
The risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter her with tenderness,
We'll love her while we may,
And for the happiness we've known,
Forever grateful stay.

But should the Angels call her,
Much sooner that we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
And try to understand.