I Will Be Good To-Day

I Will Be Good To-Day

"I will be good, dear mother,"

I heard a sweet child say;

"I will be good, now watch me!—

I will be good all day."

She lifted up her bright young eyes,

With a soft and pleasing smile;

Then a mother's kiss was on her lips,

So free and pure from guile.

And when night came, that little one,

In kneeling down to pray,

Said, in a soft and whisp'ring tone,

"Have I been good to-day?"

O, many, many bitter tears

'Twould save us, did we say,

Like that dear child, with earnest hearts,

"I will be good to-day."

Unattributed

1:7, p. 1

9.3.1859