MY MOTHER by EMILY CHUBBUCK JUDSON

GIVE me my old seat, mother,
With my head upon thy knee;
I've pass'd through many a changing scene
Since thus I sat by thee.
Oh! let me look into thine eyes --
Their meek, soft, loving light
Falls, like a gleam of holiness,
Upon my heart to-night.

I've not been long away, mother;
Few suns have rose and set,
Since last the tear-drop on thy cheek
My lips in kisses met:
'T is but a little time, I know,
But very long it seems,
Though every night I came to thee,
Dear mother, in my dreams.

The world has kindly dealt, mother,
By the child thou lov'st so well;
Thy prayers have circled round her path,
And 't was their holy spell
Which made that path so dearly bright,
Which strew'd the roses there,
Which gave the light, and cast the balm,
On every breath of air.

I bear a happy heart, mother,
A happier never beat;
And even now new buds of hope
Are bursting at my feet.
Oh, mother! life may be "a dream,"
But, if such @3dreams@1 are given,
While at the portal thus we stand,
What are the @3truths@1 of Heaven!

I bear a happy heart, mother,
Yet, when fond eyes I see,
And hear soft tones, and winning words,
I ever think of thee.
And then, the tear my spirit weeps
Unbidden fills my eye;
And, like a homeless dove, I long
Unto thy breast to fly.

@3Then@1, I am very sad, mother,
I'm very sad and lone;
Oh! there's no heart, whose inmost fold
Opes to me like thine own!
Though sunny smiles wreathe blooming lips,
While love-tones meet my ear;
My mother, one fond glance of thine
Were thousand times more dear.

Then, with a closer clasp, mother,
Now hold me to thy heart;
I'd feel it beating 'gainst my own
Once more before we part.
And, mother, to this love-lit spot,
When I am far away,
Come oft -- @3too oft@1 thou canst not come --
And for thy darling pray.

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