* "Oracles of Nostradamus", by Charles A. Ward, [1891],
To My Mother
, , ,.
Theognis, p. 16, ed. 1766.
\"But higher far my proud pretensions rise,--
The son of parents passed into the skies."
Cowper, On My Mother's Picture, line 110.
If There Can Be Anything In A Book Like This Worthy Of Dedication To A Being So Noble As Thou In Life Wert Ever, A Being Now More Ennobled Still By The Heaven-bleached Raiment Of Immortality Put On; To Thee, Pure Soul Serene! To Thee Does Thy Still Loving Son, Earth-hampered, Dedicate This The Best Labour Of His Heart And Head And Years. The Best Of It Is Thine Indeed Already; And Were The Rest Worse Harvested Than Perhaps It Is,--mortality Being Allowed For Duly,--thy Soul Receiving Must Be Much Changed By Exaltation, If Queen-like, It Cannot Make A Sorry Love-gift Rich By Golden Welcome Given It.
If Things Of Kith Be Kin, God Willing, We Shall Meet Again Ere Long. Till When, From This Bare Heath Terrene And Homeless, I Speed The Word Adieu. Dear One! For A Little While Adieu.