The desk beside the window, Where the sun shines warm and bright: And there in ease and quiet The promised book you write; While I sit close beside you, Content at last to see That you can rest, dear mother, And I can cherish thee. (The dream came true, and for the last ten years of her life Marmee sat in peace, with every wish granted, even to the "grouping together"; for she died in my arms.-L. M. A.) *Reprinted by permission of Little, Brown & Company, by whom Miss Alcott's books are copyrighted. TWO MOTHERS BY RICHARD BURTON A woman walking the street adown But the woman there in the window-seat And touched with pity, to the place But the boy I watched in his bright young day, MOTHER, NURSE, AND FAIRY "Give me a son." The blessing sent, Waked to the morning's pleasing care, The mother rose and sought her heir. She saw the nurse like one possest, With wringing hands and sobbing breast. "Sure some disaster has befell: "Speak Nurse: I hope the boy is well." "Dear Madam, think not me to blame; Invisible the Fairy came: Your precious babe is hence conveyed, Where are the father's mouth and nose? "The woman 's blind, (the mother cries) I see wit sparkle in his eyes." "Lord, Madam, what a squinting leer! No doubt the Fairy hath been here." Just as she spoke, a pygmy sprite Pops through the key hole swift as light; Perched on the cradle's top he stands, And thus her folly reprimands: "Whence sprung the vain conceited lie, That we the world with fools supply? What! give our sprightly race away For the dull, helpless sons of clay! Besides, by partial fondness shown, Like you we dote upon our own. Where yet was ever found a Mother Who'd give her booby for another? And should we change with human breed, Well might we pass for fools indeed." Though fretful oft, and weak and small, A loving child, he was her all,— The Widow's Mite. The Widow's Mite-aye, so sustain'd, Though friends were fewer: I saw her then, and now I see She has,- He gave it tenderly,- A little crutch. * From "The Victorian Anthology." Houghton Mifflin Company. CHILDREN BY WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR Children are what the mothers are. His startled eyes with wonder see His waking arms; to her those eyes WIDOW AND CHILD BY ALFRED TENNYSON Home they brought her warrior dead; All her maidens, watching, said, Then they praised him soft and low, Stole a maiden from her place, Like summer tempest came her tears MOTHERS AND SONS * By G. W. E. RUSSELL I know no pleasanter theme for contemplation than this, and it is suggested to me by a letter from Accrington. After referring to the qualities of the Manchester Guardian, my correspondent writes: |