Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By IrvingBrowne

634 Man’s Pillow

A BABY lying on his mother’s breast

Draws life from that sweet fount;

He takes his rest

And heaves deep sighs;

With brooding eyes

Of soft content

She shelters him within that fragrant nest,

And scarce refrains from crushing him

With tender violence,

His rosebud mouth, each rosy limb

Excite such joy intense;

Rocked on that gentle billow,

She sings into his ear

A song that angels stoop to hear.

Blest child and mother doubly blest!

Such his first pillow.

A man outwearied with the world’s mad race

His mother seeks again;

His furrowed face,

His tired gray head,

His heart of lead

Resigned he yields;

She covers him in some secluded place,

And kindly heals the earthy scar

Of spade with snow and flowers,

While glow of sun and gleam of star,

And murmuring rush of showers,

And wind-obeying willow

Attend his unbroken sleep;

In this repose secure and deep,

Forgotten save by One, he leaves no trace.

Such his last pillow.