Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.
William Thom 17981848The Mitherless Bairn
W
By aunty, or cousin, or frecky grand-dame,
Wha stands last an’ lanely, an’ sairly for-fairn?
’T is the puir dowie laddie—the mitherless bairn!
Nane covers his cauld back, or haps his bare head;
His wee hackit heelies are hard as the airn,
An’ lithless the lair o’ the mitherless bairn.
O’ hands that wont kindly to kaim his dark hair!
But mornin’ brings clutches, a’ reckless an’ stern,
That lo’e na the locks o’ the mitherless bairn.
Now rests in the mools whare their mammie is laid;
While the father toils sair his wee bannock to earn,
An’ kens na the wrangs o’ his mitherless bairn.
Still watches his lone lorn wand’rings on earth,
Recording in heaven the blessings they earn
Wha couthilie deal wi’ the mitherless bairn!
He bends to your biddin’, and blesses your smile:
In the dark hour o’ anguish, the heartless shall learn
That God deals the blow for the mitherless bairn!