The Three Mothers

Three Mother in heaven stole silently
Apart from the music & mirth
Monica, Mary & Salome,
They thought of the mothers on earth,
And for aid in her prayers sought each of the three
To the son to whom she gave birth.

So Salome sped to the King’s side near,
Where her two sons gracious and gay
Lent to her whisper a ready ear;
“Pray to the dear lord, pray
For the mothers who still no tidings hear
Of their sons that are far away.”

And Monica, mindful of long dead fears
Sought Augustine’s eyes and smiled,
“Help me to pray for the misspent years
Of the reckless sons and wild;
Grace for each mother that sheds sad tears
For the sin-stained soul of her child.”

But Mary had not to seek her son,
Her eyes still met his eye.
And his prayer, and her prayer, they rose as one
In the Father’s presence High:
“Teach them to say ‘Thy Will be done’
The mothers whose sons must die.”

Copied from Country Life Oct 14, 1916