"Brother, thou told'st me to return with treasures like a king;
This hacked and dinted sword and shield is all the wealth I
bring.
Sister, I wooed a lady bright with eyes like thine, and hair,--
I woke from wild and dazzling dreams to find her false as fair!

"Now, mother, unto thee I turn! say, say, wilt though repine
If I tell thee that those cherished hopes have all proved vain
but thine?
Though folly may have swayed awhile this heart since last we
met--
Still, mother, at thy feet, I swear, 'tis true and stainless yet!

"No aim has ever ruled it that thou might'st not calmly see--
Nor hope nor thought, dear mother, that I'd shrink to bare to
thee!"
"Bless thee, mine own one, for those words! thrice dearer art
thou now
Than if thine hands were filled with gems, and laurels twined
thy brow!

"And dearer is thy still fond smile, tho' dimmed its brightness
be,
Than that of fairest bride to glad our home with witching glee!"
With all a mother's yearning love, she strained him to her heart,
And in that fond embrace he felt her's was "the better part."