I hold to a cup my mother gave me Of tears, bright tears, glad tears to save me, Shed at my birth and ofttimes after -- Tears of pain and tears of laughter. I lift against the shadowing years The brilliance of her cup of tears. And round my neck I wear forever A chain no mortal hand may sever. The links are pride, with honor's clasping, That mocks each tempter's evil grasping, Against all fear enheartening me, My father's bright integrity. Last is this scroll my true-love proffered When all the love her deep heart offered Was sealed therein, its seal commanding All truth, all trust, all understanding. Bound fast forever on my brows Is this phylactery of our vows! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE NINETEENTH OF APRIL, 1861 by LUCY LARCOM SIXTY-EIGHTH BIRTHDAY by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL THE BATTLE-CRY OF FREEDOM by GEORGE FREDERICK ROOT RAIN by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON EPISTLES ON THE CHARACTER AND CONDITION OF WOMEN: 2 by LUCY AIKEN PAUPER PETE'S SONG by MATHILDE BLIND THE WORLD'S RECORD by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE |