Heard you that shriek? It rose br So wildly on the air, br It seemed as if a burden'd heart br Was breaking in despair. br Saw you those hands so sadly clasped - br The bowed and feeble hand - br The shuddering of that fragile form - br That look of grief and dread? br Saw you the sad, imploring eye? br Its every glance was pain, br As if a storm of agony br Were sweeping through the brain. br br She is a mother, pale with fear, br Her boy clings to her side, br And in her kirtle vainly tries br His trembling form to hide. br br He is not hers, although she bore br For him a mother's pains; br He is not hers, although her blood br Is coursing through his veins! br br He is not hers, for cruel hands br May rudely tear apart br The only wreath of household love br That binds her breaking heart. br br His love has been a joyous light br That o'er her pathway smiled, br A fountain gushing ever new, br Amid life's desert wild. br br His lightest word has been a tone br Of music round her heart, br Their lives a streamlet blent in one - br Oh, Father! must they part? br br They tear him from her circling arms, br Her last and fond embrace. br Oh! never more may her sad eyes br Gaze on his mournful face. br br No marvel, then, these bitter shrieks br Disturb the listening air; br She is a mother, and her heart br Is breaking in despair.