A LITTLE maiden, her doll to her
Was love and daughter and comforter;
Her eyes, far better than speaking could,
Guessed and gossiped of motherhood. ...

One day they put at her breast her boy,
And she knew the splendid mother-joy.
After the agony, then the bliss
Summed in that sacred, birthright kiss! ...

Now, the old mother who broods us all
Folds her fast, and she heeds the call;
Earth to earth, but she knows no fear, —
Mother to mother means dear to dear.