Page:Scenes in my Native Land.pdf/218

"Hast thou forgot the home, the grassy bank
Where we have played? the blessed mother's words,
Bidding us love each other? and the prayer.
With which our father at the evening hour
Commended us to God?"
                                      Slowly she spake,—
"I do remember, dimly as a dream,
A brook, a garden, and two children fair,
A loving mother, with a bird-like voice,
Teaching us goodness; then, a trace of blood,
A groan of death, a lonely captive's pain;—
But all are past away.
                               Here is my home.
These are my daughters.
                                   If ye ask for him,
The eagle-eyed, and lion-hearted chief.
My fearless husband, who the battle led,
There is his grave."
                           "Go back, and dwell with us.
Back to thy people, to thy father's God,"
The brother said. "I have a happy home,
A loving wife and children. Thou shalt be
Welcome to all. And these thy daughters too,
The dark-eyed, and the raven-haired shall be
Unto me, as mine own. My heart doth yearn
O'er thee, our hapless mother's dearest one,
Let my sweet home be thine."
                                            A trembling nerve
Thrilled all unwonted, at her bosom's core,