The Mother’s Hope

Is there, when the winds are singing In the happy summer-time,— When the raptured air is ringing With Earth’s music heavenward springing, Forest chirp, and village chime,— Is there, of the sounds that float Unsighingly, a single note Half so sweet and clear and wild As the laughter of a child? Listen! and be now delighted: Morn hath touched her golden strings; Earth and Sky their vows have plighted; Life and Light are reunited Amid countless carollings; Yet, delicious as they are, There ’s a sound that ’s sweeter far,— One that makes the heart rejoice More than all,—the human voice! Organ finer, deeper, clearer, Though it be a stranger’s tone,— Than the winds or waters dearer, More enchanting to the hearer, For it answereth to his own. But, of all its witching words, Sweeter than the song of birds, Those are sweetest, bubbling wild Through the laughter of a child. Harmonies from time-touched towers, Haunted strains from rivulets, Hum of bees among the flowers, Rustling leaves, and silver showers,— These, erelong, the ear forgets; But in mine there is a sound Ringing on the whole year round,— Heart-deep laughter that I heard Ere my child could speak a word. Ah! ’t was heard by ear far purer, Fondlier formed to catch the strain,— Ear of one whose love is surer,— Hers, the mother, the endurer Of the deepest share of pain; Hers the deepest bliss to treasure Memories of that cry of pleasure, Hers to hoard, a lifetime after, Echoes of that infant laughter. ’T is a mother’s large affection Hears with a mysterious sense,— Breathings that evade detection, Whisper faint, and fine inflection, Thrill in her with power intense. Childhood’s honeyed words untaught Hiveth she in loving thought,— Tones that never thence depart; For she listens—with her heart.