Nature the gentlest mother is, br Impatient of no child, br The feeblest of the waywardest. br Her admonition mild br br In forest and the hill br By traveller be heard, br Restraining rampant squirrel br Or too impetuous bird. br br How fair her conversation br A summer afternoon, br Her household her assembly; br And when the sun go down, br br Her voice among the aisles br Incite the timid prayer br Of the minutest cricket, br The most unworthy flower. br br When all the children sleep, br She turns as long away br As will suffice tolight her lamps, br Then bending from the sky br br With infinite affection br An infiniter care, br Her golden finger on her lip, br Wills silence everywhere.