"Ecce Puer"

Of the dark past
A boy is born.
With joy and grief
My heart is torn.

Calm in his cradle
The living lies.
May love and mercy
Unclose his eyes!

Young life is breathed
Upon the glass,
The world that was not
Comes to pass.

A child is sleeping;
An old man gone.
O, father forsaken,
Forgive your son!"

By James Joyce

Written in celebration of the birth of his grandson, and only surviving heir, Stephen James Joyce, on February 15, 1932.