Poems (Griffin)/To My Father

For works with similar titles, see To My Father.
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TO MY FATHER.
FATHER, take me to thy bosom;
 Let my weary head find rest
Where in infancy it slumbered,
 Softly cradled on thy breast.

Hold me there once more, dear father,
 As thou didst thy baby child;
Breathe again those fond caresses
 That my infant hours beguiled.

Love me now, as then, my father,
 Though my form has taller grown,—
Though I am a child no longer,
 Still I am as much thine own.

And as much I love you, father,
 As when lisping on thy knee;
And my heart leaped up as gladly
 At a look or smile from thee.

Father, though I've disobeyed thee,
 'Twas for one so pure and good
 ​That I know thou wouldst forgive me,
 Were his virtues understood.

Then, dear father, bid me welcome
 To my home and thee once more,
And thy former love and favor
 To thy only child restore.

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