IN AFTER YEARS.
THE hand that lies upon your brow,
And fondly clasps your own;
The smiles that greet you gently now,
The voice of kindly tone;
The patient heart, eager to please,
To soothe away your tears—
Dear childhood! You will think of these
In after years!
The fairy-land of youthful joy
Soon vanishes from sight,
And time will many a dream destroy
That dazzles with delight!
What can replace a mother's kiss—
The love that hushed your fears?
Ah, Childhood! You will think of this
In after years!
Ambition's proud and fiery race
May win the heart awhile;
We never can forget one face,
One pure and hallowed smile!
God grant we may not, while we rove,
Look back, 'mid blinding tears,
Upon a mother's slighted love—
In after years!
George Cooper