The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott Edited by his Son Edwin Elliott ... A New and Revised Edition: Two Volumes |
 | I. |
 |
| II. |
 | The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott |  |
242
THE THREE MARYS AT CASTLE HOWARD, IN 1812 AND 1837.
The lifeless son—the mother's agony,O'erstrain'd till agony refused to feel—
That sinner too I then dry-eyed could see;
For I was harden'd in my selfish weel,
And strength and joy had strung my soul with steel.
I knew not then that man may live to be
A thing of life, that feels he lives in vain—
A taper, to be quench'd in misery!
Forgive me, then, Caracci! if I seek
To look on this, thy tale of tears, again;
For now the swift is slow, the strong is weak.
Mother of Christ! how merciful is pain!
But, if I longer view thy tear-stain'd cheek,
Heart-broken Magdalene! my heart will break.
| The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott | |