Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Ralph Waldo Emerson, comp. (1803–1882). Parnassus: An Anthology of Poetry. 1880.

Mother’s Blessing

William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

BE thou blest, Bertram! and succeed thy father

In manners, as in shape! thy blood, and virtue,

Contend for empire in thee; and thy goodness

Share with thy birthright! Love all; trust a few;

Do wrong to none: be able for thine enemy

Rather in power, than use; and keep thy friend

Under thy own life’s key: be checked for silence

But never taxed for speech. What heaven more will,

That thee may furnish, and my prayers pluck down,

Fall on thy head!