Classic Poem

BY WILLIAM D. GALLAGHER .

A green lawn, and a humble cot
Embowered in vines and spreading trees;
Before the door a verdant plot,
And flowers whose perfume loads the breeze:
Upon the grass, those flowers among,
Glad as the winds that thither stray,
A group of children, fair and young, —
Their cheeks are flush'd with play!

Midway the two small rooms between,
(For only two hath cot like this,)
Spectator of the joyous scene,
And sharer of the heart-felt bliss,
A white-haired grandam; — on her knee
Her knitting lies neglected now;
She fairly strains her eyes to see, —
Her specs pushed to her brow!

A smile illumes her withered cheeks, —
On each a glistening tear-drop lies;
Her lips apart — she thoughtless speaks,
And harder strains her filmy eyes.
One now its playful fellows leaves,
And toward her springs with all its might;
Her heart is full — her bosom heaves
With love's intense delight.

An instant, and it dropt to earth,
As if a death-stroke laid it low:
A chill ran through her frame — her mirth
Was changed as instantly to wo.
It shriek'd aloud! — she forward sprung,
And caught it to her panting breast:
A bee its tiny foot had stung,
On clover blossom press'd.