Lines written on the birth of the infant son of Mrs. Emma, widow of the later General Joseph Smith

BY MISS ELIZA R. SNOW.

Sinless as celestial spirits- Not to share a father's fondness-

Lovely as a morning flow'r, Not to know its father's worth-

Comes the smiling infant stranger By the arm of persecution

In an evil-omen'd hour. 'Tis an orphan at its birth!

In an hour of lamentation- Smile, sweet babe! thou art unconscious

In a time-a season when Of thy great, untimely loss!

Zion's noblest sons are fallen, The broad stroke of thy bereavement,

By the hands of wicked men. Zion's pathway seem'd to cross!

In an hour when peace and safety Till in childhood thou had'st known him,

Have the civil banner fled- Had the age, thy father spar'd;

In a day when legal justice The endearment of remembrance,

Covers its dishonor'd head. Though thy life time thou had'st shar'd.

In an age when saints must suffer [suffer] Thou may'st draw from love and kindness

Without mercy or redress; All a mother can bestow;

Comes to meet a generation But alas! on earth, a father

That has made it fatherless. Thou art destin'd not to know!

Nauvoo, Nov. 24th, 1844.

Lines written on the death of Father Hancock, who died near the Motley Settlement, Hancock county, Ill., Oct. 1, 1844.