Littell's Living Age/Volume 170/Issue 2201/To my Mother

thee once in mad desire to find The love for which my spirit yearned with pain; At many a door I knocked and knocked in vain, Craving love's alms which none to grant inclined, But laughing, treated me with cold disdain; Yet still I wandered, eager in the quest, Forever seeking, and for aye unblest, Since no one gave the boon for which I pined. Then, mother! turning to my home I went With weary steps and sorrow-numbing care, And lo! my pain was lost in sweet content, For what I sought came to me unaware; In the dear eyes that on thy son were bent All I had asked I found, for love was there.