STANZAS TO MY DEAREST MOTHER

Mother, dear mother, the feelings nursed, As I lay on thy bosom, clung round thee first, Twas the earliest link in love's dear chain, 'Tis the only one which will long remain.

And as year by year, and day by day, Some friend once trusted drops away, Mother, lov'd mother, ah ! dost thou not see That each shortened link brings me nearer thee ?