My Mother
My Mother
Original Text
Ann Taylor, Original Poems, for Infant Minds, I (Philadelphia: Kimber and Conrad, 1807): 82-84.
Early American Imprints, Series II.
1Who fed me from her gentle breast,
2And hush'd me in her arms to rest,
3And on my cheek sweet kisses prest?
4 My Mother.
5When sleep forsook my open eye,
6Who was it sung sweet hushaby,
7And rock'd me that I should not cry?
8 My Mother.
9Who sat and watch'd my infant head,
10When sleeping on my cradle bed,
11And tears of sweet affection shed?
12 My Mother.
13When pain and sickness made me cry,
14Who gaz'd upon my heavy eye,
15And wept, for fear that I should die?
16 My Mother.
17Who drest my doll in clothes so gay,
18And taught me pretty how to play,
19And minded all I'd got to say?
20 My Mother.
21Who ran to help me when I fell,
22And would some pretty story tell,
23Or kiss the place to make it well?
24 My Mother.
25Who taught my infant lips to pray,
26And love God 's holy book and day,
27And walk in wisdom's pleasant way?
28 My Mother.
29And can I ever cease to be
30Affectionate and kind to thee,
31Who wast so very kind to me?
32 My Mother?
33Ah! no, the thought I cannot bear,
34And if God please my life to spare,
35 I hope I shall reward thy care.
36 My Mother.
37When thou art feeble, old, and grey,
38My healthy arm shall be thy stay,
39And I will sooth thy pains away,
40 My Mother
41And when I see thee hang thy head,
42'Twill be my turn to watch thy bed,
43And tears of sweet affection shed,
44 My Mother.
45For God , who lives above the skies,
46Would look with vengeance in his eyes,
47If I should ever dare despise,
48 My Mother.
Publication Start Year
1807
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
2011
Rhyme
Form