May 13, 2006 4:34 AM
The Hand that Rocks the Cradle
The Hand That Rocks The CradleIs The Hand That Rules The World
Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.Infancy's the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother's first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow--
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky--
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.William Ross Wallace (1819-1881)
Painting by Berthe Morisot (1841-1895), French Impressionist - for more about her, visit the WebMuseum, Paris.
Posted in Holidays, Mothering | Permalink
Comments
Beautiful! I love this, AND the painting. (I was an art history major in college.) Thanks for your post.
Posted by: e-Mom | May 13, 2006 9:06 PM
wow i had never read the whole poem until now. thanks.. it's mother's day here in new zealand !!!
Posted by: kate5kiwis | May 14, 2006 12:45 AM
