The Mother’s Blessing

Oh, my soul had grown so weary
  With its many cares opprest,
All my heart’s high aspirations
  Languish’d in a prayer for rest.

I was like a lonely stranger
  Pining in a distant land,
Bearing on her lips a language
  None around her understand.

Longing for a close communion
  With some kindred mind and heart,
But whose language is a jargon
  Past her skill, and past her art.

God in mercy looked upon me,
  Saw my fainting, pain and strife,
Sent to me a blest evangel,
  Through the gates of light and life.

Then my desert leafed and blossom’d,
  Beauty decked its deepest wild,
Hope and joy, peace and blessing,
  Met me in my first-born child.

When the tiny hands, so feeble,
  Brought me smiles and joyful tears,
Lifted from my life the shadows,
  That had gathered there for years.

God, I thank thee for the blessing
  That at last has crown’d my life,
Soothed its weary, lonely anguish,
  Stay’d its fainting, calm’d its strife.

Gracious Parent! guard and shelter
  In thine arms my darling child
Till she treads the streets of jasper,
  Glorified and undefiled.