Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-05-31
For the Patriot.

A HOME PICTURE.
TBYL VIRGINIA FRENCH


IsY L. VIRGINIA FRENCH
Where the broad mulberry branches haog canopy leaves
Like avanche ofverdnre dropping Ger the kitchen
And the sunshine with It's shadows dainty srabesques have
made
Ger the quaint old Oaken SETTLE standing in the pleasant
thada;
sits good NANNY with the "chidren" while the
afternoon
Wears the dewy veil Of April Ger the brliancy Of June
Smooth and snowy the RercheL lying folded with air
ofmatron dignity, above her silver-sprinkled hair,
Blue and white the beaded necklace Sundays to
bedeck,
"a dearly ,ershed smulet) her plump and rosy neck;
Dark her neatly ironed apron. Of broad and ample size
Spreading the dress Of "homespun" with its many
colored dyes.
True her lips are untuiored genaly they smile
And eloquent their fervor praying Jesus bress de
chilep
True her voice is hoarse and broken but how tender t
replies
Tho her hands and whered yet loving are
her eyes;
She has thoughts both high and holy tho
and low
And her face is dusk and wnked her soul white
snoWl
An aristOcrat is Nanny "-and tho usually sedale,
tolerate;
Pa'rOnzng too, to "Master "fOr she nussed i'm when
boy"
Familiar yet respectful 10 my Mistis ~ but the Joy
Other bosom is de children" and Delightfully."- boast
OF the born blood Of her darDgs- good as kings and
queens Almost"
There she beneath the shadow grooming Oden
hymn,
Watching earnestly and willingly although her eyes dim
Laughing in her heart sincerely but with couDenance
demure;
Holding out before babies every tempting little lure
Noting all their merry frocs with quiet, loving gaze,
Telling DER at night Mss all their cunDn' little ways
Now and then her glance will DER the pastures
away,
Where the taseed cOrnneds waving the breeaes rock
and sway;
To the rivers cleaning silver, aud the hazy distance where
Giant mountain peaks peeng thro' veil of
the thrill of baby voces-baby laughter and sweet
Recall her in moment to the treasures at her feet
So "rascslly, roIcking, my bold and sturdy boy,
In his tricky waywardness is still her boast and joy
She'll chase him hro' the shrubbery-his mi chief
cure
"Hi whar little rascal now? de bars will get i'm shure
When caught she'll stOuy swing him to her shoulder Andu
Pride
II marching TouHu she Pan"eysi just W see now gram NC
ride"
And the "Birde Of bosomso how sof and tendery
Bows good "Msmmy gentle spirit her baby witchery
All to her is dear devotion, whom the very angels bless
And all thoughts other blended with holy tenderness
Coaxing now and caressing saying with smile and kiss
"Jus for mawmyatsa ladywOnt nows" do that this
On the sweet white tued clover and weary with their
play,
Toying with the creamy blossoms my little children lay
Hsrnessed up with crimson ribbons rocking horses side BY
side,
Make believe" TO ea, their fodder "-(bOssoms to their
noses tied y
Near them stands the willow wagonin it BRIDES
moth DOLL
And noble "BraTe" beside Them faithful guardian
all.
Above them float the butterflies around them hum the bees
And buildings warble darling in and out among the
The kitten sleeps "Mammys" SIDE, and two brown rabbits
pass,
Hopping along the palng, stealing thrO' the waving
grass;
Gladstone tears blue eyes are nTng. and . watching
mother prays,
"God bless Nanny and my children, In those happy
hAlycon days"
PoREsr HoxE, 1885,