 | Poems and Songs by E. H. B. [i.e. E. H. Bickersteth] |  |
170
A SICK PARENT'S BEDSIDE.
I
Dearest, let me sit still watching by thee,Softly will I breathe, and softly weep;
Sorrow's cup is now familiar to me:
Sleep, my dearest parent—sleep, oh! sleep.
II
Hast thou not my cradled limbs protectedWhen in helpless infancy I smiled?—
Hast thou not for me thyself neglected,
And my hours of fretfulness beguiled?
III
Life itself thou gave—a fatal treasure—All the yearnings of my passionate heart,
Hopes too high for earthly fallen nature,
Ideal musings from the world apart.
171
IV
Ah! for these I never can repay thee!All my powers—my gratitude—I owe;
In affliction—rest, oh! rest upon me;
Stay awhile, and bless thy child below!
V
Sleep, my dearest,—let me kneel beside thee,—Softly will I pray, and softly weep;
Sorrow's cup is now familiar to me:
Sleep, my dearest parent—sleep, oh! sleep.
| Poems and Songs by E. H. B. [i.e. E. H. Bickersteth] | |