LYMAN C. SMITH
O ELDER sister, though thou didst of yoreForsake thy mother's ancient hall and fleeTo be the chosen bride of Liberty,She cherishes her grief and wrath no more,Nor seeks her broken circle to restore,Yet fain would clasp thee to her breast again,But thou aloof uncertain dost remain.O canst thou not the one mistake forgetOf her that bore thee, taught thy lips to frameThy early words, thy God in prayer to name;That in the paths of right and justice setThy feet, where not infrequent walk they yet;That stood devoted at thy youthful side,Nor e'en her blood in thy defence denied?But if thy younger sister yet abideContent and happy in her mother's hall,Nor feel the bond of blood a menial thrall,But, leaning heart to heart, of choice confideIn mother yet as dearest guard and guide—If thou wilt not thy mother's love regain,Why must thy cradle sister plead in vain?Yet all the best that bubbles in our veinsWe sisters drew from that one Saxon breast.Where oftentimes thy maiden cheek has pressed,Mine resting still in loving trust remains.Our bonds of blood should be unbroken chains!Obey thy heart and grasp the proffered hand,Then all the world our wills may not withstand.
O ELDER sister, though thou didst of yoreForsake thy mother's ancient hall and fleeTo be the chosen bride of Liberty,She cherishes her grief and wrath no more,Nor seeks her broken circle to restore,Yet fain would clasp thee to her breast again,But thou aloof uncertain dost remain.O canst thou not the one mistake forgetOf her that bore thee, taught thy lips to frameThy early words, thy God in prayer to name;That in the paths of right and justice setThy feet, where not infrequent walk they yet;That stood devoted at thy youthful side,Nor e'en her blood in thy defence denied?But if thy younger sister yet abideContent and happy in her mother's hall,Nor feel the bond of blood a menial thrall,But, leaning heart to heart, of choice confideIn mother yet as dearest guard and guide—If thou wilt not thy mother's love regain,Why must thy cradle sister plead in vain?Yet all the best that bubbles in our veinsWe sisters drew from that one Saxon breast.Where oftentimes thy maiden cheek has pressed,Mine resting still in loving trust remains.Our bonds of blood should be unbroken chains!Obey thy heart and grasp the proffered hand,Then all the world our wills may not withstand.
O ELDER sister, though thou didst of yoreForsake thy mother's ancient hall and fleeTo be the chosen bride of Liberty,She cherishes her grief and wrath no more,Nor seeks her broken circle to restore,Yet fain would clasp thee to her breast again,But thou aloof uncertain dost remain.
O ELDER sister, though thou didst of yore
Forsake thy mother's ancient hall and flee
To be the chosen bride of Liberty,
She cherishes her grief and wrath no more,
Nor seeks her broken circle to restore,
Yet fain would clasp thee to her breast again,
But thou aloof uncertain dost remain.
O canst thou not the one mistake forgetOf her that bore thee, taught thy lips to frameThy early words, thy God in prayer to name;That in the paths of right and justice setThy feet, where not infrequent walk they yet;That stood devoted at thy youthful side,Nor e'en her blood in thy defence denied?
O canst thou not the one mistake forget
Of her that bore thee, taught thy lips to frame
Thy early words, thy God in prayer to name;
That in the paths of right and justice set
Thy feet, where not infrequent walk they yet;
That stood devoted at thy youthful side,
Nor e'en her blood in thy defence denied?
But if thy younger sister yet abideContent and happy in her mother's hall,Nor feel the bond of blood a menial thrall,But, leaning heart to heart, of choice confideIn mother yet as dearest guard and guide—If thou wilt not thy mother's love regain,Why must thy cradle sister plead in vain?
But if thy younger sister yet abide
Content and happy in her mother's hall,
Nor feel the bond of blood a menial thrall,
But, leaning heart to heart, of choice confide
In mother yet as dearest guard and guide—
If thou wilt not thy mother's love regain,
Why must thy cradle sister plead in vain?
Yet all the best that bubbles in our veinsWe sisters drew from that one Saxon breast.Where oftentimes thy maiden cheek has pressed,Mine resting still in loving trust remains.Our bonds of blood should be unbroken chains!Obey thy heart and grasp the proffered hand,Then all the world our wills may not withstand.
Yet all the best that bubbles in our veins
We sisters drew from that one Saxon breast.
Where oftentimes thy maiden cheek has pressed,
Mine resting still in loving trust remains.
Our bonds of blood should be unbroken chains!
Obey thy heart and grasp the proffered hand,
Then all the world our wills may not withstand.