Throughout a long and tiring day, my son, A loveable, but most mischievous one, With disobedience and noisy play Vexed me, until, my patience giving way, I marched the young offender off to bed, Waiting beside him till his prayer was said, Then, turning a deaf ear unto his plea, "O, mother, mother darling, do kiss me." I left him, and resumed some work begun, And for a space forgot my naughty son.
But in the restful peace of eventide— My anger and impatience having died— Remembering his plea, I sought his room, Tiptoeing softly through the silent gloom, Fearing to wake, yet loth for him to miss, Even in slumberland his good-night kiss. But, as I bent above my laddie's face, Lo! I was 'prisoned in the child's embrace; And, as I smoothed the damp hair on his brow, He sobbed repentantly, "I'm sorry, now."
He had not slept—how could he when unblest? I drew the tear-wet face close to my breast And kissed him fondly, then away I crept, For with that seal of peace the laddie slept. Pardoned and blest, in sweet contentment he Had closed his eyes and slumbered peacefully, Whilst I, as one who had new light received, Mused on the thoughts my soul had just conceived. Could human love condone more than Divine? God's great heart be less pitiful than mine?
And my soul answered, No. When death doth come, And we, too, sorry, grieving in the gloom, Longing, like a repentant little child, With God our Father to be reconciled; Shrinking among the shadows we shall hear His voice, and feel His presence drawing near; And though we may not see Him, our alarms Will vanish when the Everlasting Arms Close round us. Then, ah then, forgiven, We, too, shall sweetly sleep, at peace with heaven.
