My Mother's Bible

by George Pope Morris

This book is all that's left me now!
  Tears will unbidden start—
With faltering lip and throbbing brow,
  I press it to my heart.
For many generations past,
  Here is our family tree;
My mother's hands this Bible clasp'd;
  She, dying, gave it to me.

Ah! well do I remember those
  Whose names these records bear,
Who round the hearth-stone used to close
  After the evening prayer,
And speak of what these pages said,
  In tones my heart would thrill!
Though they are with the silent dead,
  Here are they living still!

My father read this holy book
  To brothers, sisters dear;
How calm was my mother's look,
  Who lean'd God's word to hear!
Her angel face—I see it yet!
  What thronging memories come!
Again that little group is met
  Within the halls of home!

Thou truest friend man ever knew,
  Thy constancy I've tried;
Where all were false I found thee true,
  My counsellor and guide.
The mines of earth no treasure give
  That could this volume buy:
In teaching me the way to live,
  It taught me how to die.