[Poems by Osgood in] The memento :: :: University of Virginia Library

Osgood, Frances Sargent Locke (1811-1850)

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122

Mamma, you must not let me die
Till you are ready too!
I am afraid to go away,
Unless I go with you.

I know Heaven is a happy place,
Where lovely angels play,
But there would be no sweet mamma,
To kiss her little May!

The kindest angel in the sky
Could not be what you are,
I'd try to fall from Heaven again;
To see my dear mamma!

And oh! be sure to hold me fast
When you are going to die,

123

Close, close within your darling arms,
Sweet mother, let me lie!

I'm so afraid you'll let me fall,
And leave me grieving here!
There's no mamma in all the world
That would be half so dear.

I know not where Heaven is, mamma,
And if you called to me,
You would be up so far, so far,
I could not hear or see!

I'm such a little girl, you know,
I should not find the way—
Oh, mother! say you will not go,
Without your little May!

203

Under the Rose, darling,
Under the Rose,
Keep the dear secret
In holy repose!

Let not that sweet mouth
The treasure disclose!
Keep all I whisper thee,
Under the Rose!

Through those soft lips, darling,
Where Love doth hide,
Let not his murmurs
Of melody glide!

Under the Rose, dearest,
Under the Rose,
Keep the fond secret
In holy repose!