With truth for my creed, and God for my guide;

She taught me to lisp my earliest prayer,

As I knelt beside that old arm-chair.

I sat and watch’d her many a day,

When her eye grew dim, and her locks were gray;

And I almost worship’d her when she smiled,

And turn’d from her Bible to bless her child.

Years roll’d on, but the last one sped—

My idol was shatter’d, my earth-star fled!

I learnt how much the heart can bear,