TO MY MOTHER .

I.

Softly the ships do sail,
 Dipping in the billow,
Now that the weary gale
 Findeth there its pillow.

II.

The sea doth lift its plain,
 Tremulous and shining;
Like threads upon the main
 Glossy wakes are twining.

III.

In twilight rings the calm
 Binds the current's motion,
While evening's inland balm
 Quivers on the ocean.

IV.

Such calms, such heavenly air
 Soothe my spirit often.
When thy kind eyes are there
 Chafing thoughts to soften.

V.

By this transparent sea
 Have I many an even
Waited to catch from thee
 Images of heaven.

VI.

My heart hath oft the while
 Ceased its very beating,
At thine infrequent smile,
 Beautifully fleeting.

VII.

Mother! in such deep times
 My heart's harp have I fingered,
And words in choicest rhymes
 Backwardly have lingered.

VIII.

For when I love thee most,
 Words seem little loving,
And golden hours are lost
 In unwise improving.

IX.

Mother! why is it hard
 For pardon to be pleading?
And why is my heart barred,
 When thine, alas! is bleeding?

X.

O whisper in my ears,—
 Thy heart for me is aching!
Else why those chiding tears
 In sunshine showers breaking?

XI.

Ah! now my eyes are wet,
 Hot words must be spoken,
For, if they loiter yet,
 Heart-strings will be broken.

XII.

But why am I to thee
 All in all, my mother?
And why art thou to me
 Like a sister to a brother?