THE VIRTUE OF KISSES.
Oh! what a medicine kisses prove
In infancy and childhood's years,
Nothing like these the heart can move,
There's nothing dries so many tears.
Though nothing is so sweet and brief,
Nothing so many wounds does heal,
Nothing can sooth the heart in grief
Like[illegible] the sweet kisses lovers steal.
A good night's kiss is very sweet
When weary nature calls to rest,
And then how peacefully we sleep
When those who love our lips have prest.
And sweet as/is[illegible] a good morning kiss,
Those promise of a happy day,
For with this tender taste of bliss,
Our troubles seem to pass away.
Sweet the forgiving kiss of love;
And the approving kiss is strong;
It cheers the spirit prone to rove,
And very often rights some wrong.
A sister's kiss keeps many a boy
From evil and its syren[illegible] art;
A brother's kiss is oft the joy
And comfort of a sister's heart.
A child's kiss is a dear reward
For many a weary hour of toil;
A mother's kiss of kind regard
The seeming ills of life beguile,
A husband's kiss leaves a light step,
A bright smile, and glad heart behind;
While curbing care and vain regret
That kiss has banished from the mind.
The home where kisses thus abound.
Will be a home of peace and love;
No words unkind will there be found
To draw the mind from things above