Be Kind to the Loved Ones at Home

Be kind to thy father for when thou wert young,Who loved thee so fondly as he?He caught the first accents that fell from thy tongue,And joined in thy innocent glee.Be kind to thy father, for now he is old,His locks intermingled with gray;His footsteps are feeble, once fearless and bold,Thy father is passing away. Be kind to thy mother for lo! on her browMay traces of sorrow be seen;Oh well may\u27st thou cherish and comfort her now,For loving and kind hath she been.Remember thy mother for thee will she pray,As long as God giveth her breath;With accents of kindness then cheer her lone way,E\u27en to the dark valley of death. Be kind to thy brother his heart will have dearth,If the smile of thy joy be withdrawn;The flowers of feeling will fade at their birth,If the dew of affection be gone.Be kind to thy brother wherever you are,The love of a brother shall beAn ornament purer and richer by farThan pearls from the depth of the sea. Be kind to thy sister not many may knowThe depth of true sisterly love;The wealth of the ocean lies fathoms belowThe surface that sparkles above.Be kind to thy father, once fearless and bold,Be kind to thy mother so near;Be kind to thy brother, nor show thy heart cold,Be kind to thy sister so dear