I'll lend you for a little time
A child of Mine, He said,
For you to love the while he lives
And mourn when he is dead.

It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call him back,
Take care of him for Me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you
And should his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories
As solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay
Since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this 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 him all your love
Nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call
To take him back again?

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

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

-Edgar Guest