Mary Elizabeth Washington (113)

      Cedar Lawn

      (To My Brothers and Sisters)

O Cedar Lawn, I love thee well
   With all thy trees and flowers;
For never can my heart forget
   The home of childhood hours.

With spirit sad we left thy walls,
   Another home to seek;
And even now remembrance calls
   The warm tear to my cheek.

Ah, once again, "infancy free"
   I wander o'er the place,
And in each bush and flower and tree
   Sweet recollections trace.
                   *  *  *
Oft when in pleasure's throng so gay
   I seem the gladdest there,
My heart --my heart is far away
   With scenes more sweet and fair.

I think of thee, dear Cedar Lawn,
   With all thy trees and flowers,
For never can my heart forget
   The home of childhood's hours.       
                          (signed)  Mary
   March, 1842