The odor of sweet flowers

Came stealing through the casement when I woke;

When the wild fever spell at last was broke.

And yet for many hours

I laid in dreamy stillness, till your tone

Called back the life that seemed forever flown.

You, mother, knelt in prayer.

While one dear hand was resting on my head,

With sobbing voice, how fervently you plead

For a strong heart, to bear