CHRISTMAS BLOSSOMS.

MY MOTHER.

BY MRS. ABDY.

MOTHER, again I see you stand

Amid your prattling infant band;

Again, in haste, aside you lay
The book you wished to read to-day:
Your time is given to us alone,
Scarcely a moment seems your own;
Where shall we ever find another
To care for us like you, my Mother?

You wisely train each well-loved child, Gently you chide the rash and wild,

You tenderly support the meek,
And give protection to the weak;

I know that we are deemed to be
A fond, united family;

Your influence binds us to each other:

We owe our peace to you, my Mother.

Dear Mother, at a future day,

May we your ceaseless love repay;
Each hour may we recall in thought
The virtuous lessons you have taught,
And if enticed to go astray,

Oh! may we to our tempters say—
"The way we tread shall be no other
Than that first shown us by our Mother."