Be kind to thy father: for when thou wert young
Who loved thee as fondly as he?
He caught the first accents that fell from thy tongue,
And joined in thine innocent glee.
Be kind to thy mother: for lo! on her brow
May traces of sorrow be seen;
Oh, well may'st thou cherish and comfort her now
For loving and kind hath she been.
Be kind to thy brother: wherever you are,
The love of a brother shall be
An ornament, purer and richer by far
Than pearls from the depths of the sea.
Be kind to thy sister: not many may know
The depth of true sisterly love;
The wealth of the ocean lies fathoms below
The surface that sparkles above.
Thy kindness shall bring to thee many sweet hours,
And blessings thy pathway crown;
Affection shall weave thee a garland of flowers,
More precious than wealth or reknown.
-MARGARET COURTNEY