I have seen your canvased glories,
And your marble statues rare,
I have heard heart-thrilling stories,
Witnessed deeds beyond compare;
But there's one scene where the starting
Of the tears soon blinds the eyes,
'Tis a boy and mother parting
Who each other idolize.
With the sighs and tears forbidden
That her face may wear a smile,
And her anguish nobly hidden
That his own she may beguile,
These--a mother's deep devotion,
And a love that fills the skies,
And a boy's subdued emotion
Will the scene immortalize!
