LOVE thy mother, little one! Kiss and clasp her neck again-- Hereafter she may have a son Will kiss and clasp her neck in vain. Love thy mother, little one! Gaze upon her living eyes, And mirror back her love for thee,-- Hereafter thou mayst shudder sighs To meet them when they cannot see. Gaze upon her living eyes! Press her lips the while they glow With love that they have often told,-- Hereafter thou mayst press in woe, And kiss them till thine own are cold. Press her lips the while they glow! Oh, revere her raven hair! Although it be not silver-gray-- Too early Death, led on by Care, May snatch save one dear lock away. Oh, revere her raven hair! Pray for her at eve and morn, That Heaven may long the stroke defer;-- For thou mayst live the hour forlorn When thou wilt ask to die with her. Pray for her at eve and morn! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IN MAY by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR TO THE NIGHTINGALE by ANNE FINCH A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 27 by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN BALLADE OF BLUE CHINA by ANDREW LANG WAITING FOR THE GRAPES by WILLIAM MAGINN THE CAVALIER'S SONG by WILLIAM MOTHERWELL |