ALICE, Alice, little Alice, br My new-christened baby Alice, br Can there ever rhymes be found br To express my wishes for thee br In a silvery flowing, worthy br Of that silvery sound? br Bonnie Alice, Lady Alice, br Sure, this sweetest name must be br A true omen to thee, Alice, br Of a life's long melody. br br Alice, Alice, little Alice, br Mayst thou prove a golden chalice, br Filled with holiness like wine: br With rich blessings running o'er br Yet replenished evermore br From a fount divine: br Alice, Alice, little Alice, br When this future comes to thee, br In thy young life's brimming chalice br Keep some drops of balm for me! br br Alice, Alice, little Alice, br Mayst thou grow a goodly palace, br Fitly framed from roof to floors, br Pure unto the inmost centre, br While high thoughts like angels enter br At the open doors: br Alice, Alice, little Alice, br When this beauteous sight I see, br In thy woman-heart's wide palace br Keep one nook of love for me. br br Alice, Alice, little Alice,-- br Sure the verse halts out of malice br To the thoughts it feebly bears, br And thy name's soft echoes, ranging br From quaint rhyme to rhyme, are changing br Into silent prayers.