Page:The black man - his antecedents, his genius, and his achievements (IA blackmanantecede00browrich).pdf/206

A sudden flood of rosy light
  Filled all the dusky wood,
And, clad in shining robes of white,
  My angel mother stood.

She gently drew me to her side,
  She pressed her lips to mine,
And softly said, "Grieve not, my child;
  A mother's love is thine.
I know the cruel wrongs that crush
  The young and ardent heart;
But falter not; keep bravely on,
  And nobly bear thy part.

"For thee a brighter day's in store;
  And every earnest soul
That presses on, with purpose high,
  Shall gain the wished-for goal.
And thou, beloved, faint not beneath
  The weary weight of care;
Daily before our Father's throne
  I breathe for thee a prayer.

"I pray that pure and holy thoughts
  May bless and guard thy way;
A noble and unselfish life
  For thee, my child, I pray."
She paused, and fondly bent on me
  One lingering look of love,
Then softly said,—and passed away,—
  "Farewell! we'll meet above."

I woke, and still the silver moon
  In quiet beauty shone;