Who sat and watched my infant head, When sleeping on 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 in clothes so gay, And taught me pretty how to play, And minded all I had to say? My Mother. Who ran to help me when I fell, And would some pretty story tell, Or kiss the place to make it well? My Mother. 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’t 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. 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 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. _The Athenæum_ of May 12, 1866, contained a note speaking favorably of the general tone of the poem “My Mother,” but stating that it was spoilt by the last verse, in which the only reason given why a child should not despise its mother is _the fear of God’s vengeance_. The writer proposed that Mr. Tennyson should be asked to compose a final verse more in accordance with the sentiments contained in the preceding lines. In the following number of _The Athenæum_ (May 19, 1866), appeared a reply from the authoress of “My Mother,” then a very old lady:―― COLLEGE HILL, NOTTINGHAM, _May_ 15, 1866.