Little Ella, fairest, dearest 
Unto me and unto mine, 
Earthly cherub coming nearest 
To my dreams of forms divine: 

Her brief absence frets and pains me, 
Her bright presence solace brings, 
Her spontaneous love restrains me 
From a thousand selfish things. 

Little Ella moveth lightly 
Like a graceful fawn at play, 
Like a brooklet running brightly 
In the genial smile of May, 

Like a breeze upon the meadows 
All besprent with early flowers. 
Like a bird mid sylvan shadows 
In the golden summer hours. 

Little Ella brings a blessing 
With her bright and winning smile, 
With her frank and fond caressing 
And her prattle free from guile. 

When I hear her footsteps bounding, 
In the hall or through the grove, 
And her voice with joy resounding, 
Tis the music that I love.