 | Young folks' centennial rhymes |  |
II.
MOTHER.
My boy, the hour is approaching I've dreaded long to know;
For out on the broad blue ocean the good ship waits to go.
For out on the broad blue ocean the good ship waits to go.
When Washington was fourteen years of age, he had a great desire to enter the British navy. It was necessary, however, to first get the consent of his mother, his father having died when he was eleven years old. After a great deal of urging, she consented to let him go; and his brother obtained for him the position of midshipman on a vessel of war, which, at that time, was anchored in the Potomac River, just below Mount Vernon. His baggage was all on board the ship, and he came to his mother to bid her good-bye; but at the last moment her heart failed her, and she took back her words of consent, and begged of him not to go. Rather than grieve her so sadly, he gave up his plan, had his baggage brought back to the house, and staid at home. Had he entered upon a sailor's life, he might never have become the leading general of the American Revolution.
All of your baggage safely upon its deck is stored;
Many a love-made token is safe for you on board.
Many a love-made token is safe for you on board.
Soon will your ears be greeted by the mariner's cheerful hail;
Soon on the wide, free ocean your gallant ship will sail.
Soon on the wide, free ocean your gallant ship will sail.
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Wonder not at the freedom with which I count my fears;
Do not let your courage be cowed by my rising tears;
Do not let your courage be cowed by my rising tears;
Never from any other can my fond thoughts be heard;
Only a loving mother can speak a mother's word.
Only a loving mother can speak a mother's word.
Long I with Heaven have pleaded your going not to see;
Long I my soul have flattered this cup would pass from me.
Long I my soul have flattered this cup would pass from me.
But there is naught can fetter a youth's adventurous joy;
Manhood's bravery sparkles in the heart of a healthy boy.
Manhood's bravery sparkles in the heart of a healthy boy.
Yet as I think of the fair child I oft have cradled to sleep,
As tossed in the rude gale's dangers, as drenched by the savage deep,
As tossed in the rude gale's dangers, as drenched by the savage deep,
Come to my heart forebodings that will not go their way;
Comes to my lips a yearning to plead you still to stay!
Comes to my lips a yearning to plead you still to stay!
SON.
And true there are some dangers upon the merry sea;
And sure there are some death-gales, and one may come to me;
And sure there are some death-gales, and one may come to me;
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But Danger has its slumbers, and Safety smiles on care;
And boys soon grow to manhood, and men were made to dare.
And boys soon grow to manhood, and men were made to dare.
Although you would do o'ermuch my life perchance to save,
Your love would melt to pity were I not strong and brave;
Your love would melt to pity were I not strong and brave;
This moment your affection your high ambition hides;
I would have you love me, mother, and proud of me besides.
I would have you love me, mother, and proud of me besides.
MOTHER.
But oft I have dreamed of a glory that waits to fall on you:
A glory of love and honor that shines for the brave and true.
A glory of love and honor that shines for the brave and true.
You as a soldier-hero were o'er the earth renowned;
You by maids and matrons with laurel wreaths were crowned.
You by maids and matrons with laurel wreaths were crowned.
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First in cold and darkness you crossed to a river-side,
Where to your brave endeavors was victory denied;
Where to your brave endeavors was victory denied;
Next, in a blaze of sunshine 'neath skies of sweetest blue,
Maids and matrons waited with laurel wreaths for you.
Maids and matrons waited with laurel wreaths for you.
Honors and praises added fresh beauty to your fame;
Heart-born blessings hovered about your noble name.
Heart-born blessings hovered about your noble name.
In no dream should aught be to turn you either way;
Still in my heart is a yearning to plead you still to stay!
Still in my heart is a yearning to plead you still to stay!
SON.
And true a faithful soldier a valiant name may win;
But there are ports of honor that sailors enter in.
If for my brow a chaplet awaiting there may be,
Why can I not go find it upon the merry sea?
But there are ports of honor that sailors enter in.
If for my brow a chaplet awaiting there may be,
Why can I not go find it upon the merry sea?
It is not where we struggle that we may win a name;
Upon both land and water true courage burns the same.
Though I may ne'er be famous, I'll mind my duty true;
And that is something noble for any one to do.
Upon both land and water true courage burns the same.
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And that is something noble for any one to do.
MOTHER.
Who can dispute a moment the truth of what you say?
Who can reject the logic with which you pave your way?
Who can reject the logic with which you pave your way?
If on the scales of reason this question's truth be weighed,
Then is my cause defeated, and your decision made.
Then is my cause defeated, and your decision made.
But there is something stronger by which my soul is stirred;
E'en when the brain speaks loudest, the heart will have its word.
E'en when the brain speaks loudest, the heart will have its word.
Out of my love's bright garden the thorns of self-will grow;
And as the hour approaches, I will not let you go!
And as the hour approaches, I will not let you go!
SON.
I care not for the dangers—I fear not for the pain;
I e'er have had a longing to live upon the main;
But 'tis one thing to bear up against a farewell's smart,
And it is quite another to break a mother's heart.
I e'er have had a longing to live upon the main;
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And it is quite another to break a mother's heart.
Weep not, my more than mother; waste not a single tear.
I will not leave you grieving; I still will tarry here.
I would not bruise the warm arms that now my neck enfold,
To sail across the ocean a solid ship of gold.
I will not leave you grieving; I still will tarry here.
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To sail across the ocean a solid ship of gold.
| Young folks' centennial rhymes | |