  Who fed me...? Who fed me from her gentle breast, And hush’d me in her arms to rest, And on my cheek sweet kisses prest? My Mother. When sleep forsook my open eye, Who was it sung sweet hushaby, And rock’d me that I should not cry? My Mother. Who sat and watched...? Who sat and watched my infant head, When sleeping in my cradle bed, And tears of sweet affection shed? My Mother. When pain and sickness made me cry, Who gazed upon my heavy eye, And wept for fear that I should die? My Mother. Who dress’d my doll...? Who dress’d my doll in clothes so gay, And taught me pretty how to play. And minded all I had to say? My Mother. Who taught my infant lips...? Who taught my infant lips to pray, And love God’s holy book and day. And walk in Wisdom’s pleasant way? My Mother. And can I ever cease to be Affectionate and kind to thee, Who was so very kind to me, My Mother? Ah, no! the thought I cannot bear; And if God please my life to spare, I hope I shall reward thy care, My Mother. Who ran to help me...? Who ran to help me when I fell, And would some pretty story tell, Or kiss the place to make it well? My Mother. When thou art feeble... When thou art feeble, old, and gray, My healthy arm shall be thy stay, And I will soothe thy pains away. My Mother. And when I see thee... And when I see thee hang thy head, ’Twill be my turn to watch thy bed. And tears of sweet affection shed, My Mother. For God, who lives above the skies, Would look with vengeance in His eyes, If I should ever dare despise My Mother. [Contents] Transcriber’s notes: The Table of Contents was added to aid navigation. In the original, the text was interlaced with the illustrations. In this etext it has been placed below the associated illustration. In “A Gaping-Wide-Mouth-Waddling Frog”, the original text has variations between verses in the position of the apostrophe in “Joiners” and “Puddings”. These have been made consistent. In “A Gaping-Wide-Mouth-Waddling Frog”, the variations in wording and punctuation of the first line of each verse are preserved from the original. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. |
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