THE SAILOR AND HIS MOTHER. 6. THE SAILOR AND HIS MOTHER. A WIDOW mother had a lad, Now sixteen years was he; And nothing would content his heart, But he must go to sea. Then said the widow, "God is great Upon both sea and land; And sailor people he must have, And lives are in his hand." So, with many thoughts of waves and rocks, And as he took the key, She gave him in her tears a kiss, Saying, "William, when you read in this, To comfort her at home were left She loved them much, but often thought Sometimes she said, "He's surely lost," And as they all the letter read, How very To hear good news from one at sea!" 7 8 THE SAILOR AND HIS MOTHER. Sometimes, a letter money bore And then around the times would come, And when she saw him, tall and strong, But she said, "How quickly time has flown! Now his brother James, the carpenter, And both the sisters married were, When home came William with a wife; Her accent foreign, dark her face ; And loved him tenderly. And he kiss'd her, and call'd her "Dearest life!" And said, "Mother, she has shared with me In many perils of the sea." The pitying mother hears a tale Of dangers on the sea; How dark the night, how strong the gale, And then she says, "God bless thee, lad! It makes my old heart very glad THE SAILOR AND HIS MOTHER. The widow now was growing grey— And William's wife was often told And then she said, "This weary head And sickness came, and death drew near; And said, with a tear, "Why, William, this When first you went to sea.' Soon William stood by his mother's grave, His breast heaved like the sea; Then sadly home to his wife he went, And she answer'd, with her tenderest kiss, LYNCH. 9 10 THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE. 7. THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE. HALF a league, half a league, Half a league onward, "Forward, the Light Brigade !" Some one had blunder'd: Cannon to right of them, Cannon in front of them Volley'd and thunder'd; Storm'd at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Rode the six hundred. Flash'd all their sabres bare, All the world wonder'd: THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE. Plunged in the battery-smoke Reel'd from the sabre-stroke Cannon to right of them, Volley'd and thunder'd; When can their glory fade? TENNYSON. 8. EVERY LITTLE HELPS. Does not each rain-drop help to form And every ray of light to warm ANON. 11 |