Poems Chiefly Written in Retirement, By John Thelwall; With Memoirs of the Life of the Author. Second Edition |
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Lines presented by the Author, to his Mother, together
with a crutch stick.
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Lines presented by the Author, to his Mother, together with a crutch stick.
Dear source of that life, which your kindness and care
Not only preserv'd, but persists to endear,
Who so oft o'er my infancy fondly would bend,
Protection to yield, and assistance to lend;
Ere yet my young limbs a firm fortitude knew,
Or could hope for a prop, but from love, and from you,
Whose solicitude prov'd (how incessantly tried!)
The strength of my weakness, my help, and my guide;
Since Providence will'd that, thro' infancy's cares,
The follies of childhood, and youth's early snares,
Your hand should conduct me to manhood's estate,
When the full-flowing spirits can combat with Fate;
And since that great Pow'r has now doom'd me to see
Your age want the aid you imparted to me,
O! let me (since mine it by nature appears)
Be the stay of your steps, and the strength of your years.
Not only preserv'd, but persists to endear,
Who so oft o'er my infancy fondly would bend,
Protection to yield, and assistance to lend;
Ere yet my young limbs a firm fortitude knew,
Or could hope for a prop, but from love, and from you,
Whose solicitude prov'd (how incessantly tried!)
The strength of my weakness, my help, and my guide;
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The follies of childhood, and youth's early snares,
Your hand should conduct me to manhood's estate,
When the full-flowing spirits can combat with Fate;
And since that great Pow'r has now doom'd me to see
Your age want the aid you imparted to me,
O! let me (since mine it by nature appears)
Be the stay of your steps, and the strength of your years.
Meantime, at my hand, this small present accept;
Both as emblem (or type) and a pledge of respect.
What tho no quaint labour a polish impart,
Nor the varnisher's daub, nor the cunning of art;
Yet let not the roughness of Nature offend:
It will ever be ready its service to lend.
And the gift and the giver alike may you find,
The stay of your steps, and the crutch of your mind.
Both as emblem (or type) and a pledge of respect.
What tho no quaint labour a polish impart,
Nor the varnisher's daub, nor the cunning of art;
Yet let not the roughness of Nature offend:
It will ever be ready its service to lend.
And the gift and the giver alike may you find,
The stay of your steps, and the crutch of your mind.
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