| RICH, honored by my fellow citizens, | |
| The father of many children, born of a noble mother, | |
| All raised there | |
| In the great mansion-house, at the edge of town. | |
| Note the cedar tree on the lawn! | 5 |
| I sent all the boys to Ann Arbor, all the girls to Rockford, | |
| The while my life went on, getting more riches and honors— | |
| Resting under my cedar tree at evening. | |
| The years went on. | |
| I sent the girls to Europe; | 10 |
| I dowered them when married. | |
| I gave the boys money to start in business. | |
| They were strong children, promising as apples | |
| Before the bitten places show. | |
| But John fled the country in disgrace. | 15 |
| Jenny died in child-birth— | |
| I sat under my cedar tree. | |
| Harry killed himself after a debauch, | |
| Susan was divorced— | |
| I sat under my cedar tree. | 20 |
| Paul was invalided from over study, | |
| Mary became a recluse at home for love of a man— | |
| I sat under my cedar tree. | |
| All were gone, or broken-winged or devoured by life— | |
| I sat under my cedar tree. | 25 |
| My mate, the mother of them, was taken— | |
| I sat under my cedar tree, | |
| Till ninety years were tolled. | |
| O maternal Earth, which rocks the fallen leaf to sleep! | |
