DREAMING AT FOURSCORE.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 928, 4 June 1878, Page 3

DREAMING AT FOURSCORE.

She sits in tho gathering twilight, In her well-worn rocking chair, With the snow df life's long winter In the inemes of her hair. She dreains of the JLittk* children Who left her long ago, r And listens for their footsteps Which the lwiging mothers know. She hears them coming, coming! And her heart is-all elate At the pa'tter of little footsteps ' Down by the garden gate. The clatter; of children's voices Comes merrily to her ears, And she cries in her quivering treblo, ' You are late, my little dears!' > And then, they are here beside her . As she had them long ago—/Susie, and Ben, and Mary, Aud Rutliie, and little, Joe. And her heart throb's high with rapture As each fond kiss' is given, And the night is'filled with mUsic Sweet as heir dreataaof Heaven. Such wondetfiii things they tell her!. A nest.in,the apple,tree; And-the'robin gave theia a scolding For climbieg tip* to sse! ■'-"■' ; A wee Tvhite.tomlb.'inthe.pasture— A wild rose on the hill— Aud such: a great ripe strawberry •.• AsJoefoundbyjthe.milll • > She listens* to all,'theirprattle, - " ?iHer heart abriiri with rest. She's queen in a Uttle^kingtlom, Each child a royal guest. Queen ? 'Tis an empty title 1 More;than a queen is she: Mother of young immortals Who gather at.her knee. She brings their welcome supper, And they sit doAvn at her feet, Tired, and hungry* and haj>py, And. she laughs .to see them eat. Then she smooths the yellow tangles, With a mother's patient hand, While she tells some wonderful story Of the children's fairy-laud. Then the little knotted shoe-strings Are patiently untied, And the children in their night-gowns Kneel at their mother's side. Their voices are low and sleepy Ere their simple prayers are said, And the good-night kiss is given By each waiting little bed. Then a quiet comes abbtit her, ■ Solemn and still and deep, . v Aud she says in her, dreamy farcies ' The children art) fast asleep.' Yen, fast asleep, poor mother, In their lieds so low arid green, Daisies and clover blossom Each face and sky between.