Voices from the Lakes, and Other Poems By the Rev. Charles D. Bell |
 |
 |
|
LINES SUGGESTED BY SEEING A DEAD INFANT
ON ITS MOTHER'S BREAST. |
|
 | Voices from the Lakes, and Other Poems |  |
286
LINES SUGGESTED BY SEEING A DEAD INFANT ON ITS MOTHER'S BREAST.
It lay upon its mother's breaking heart,Whose sobs convulsive seemed to lend it life,
For now the snow-white garments swelling rose,
Now fell, as tho' quick pulses played beneath;
But they were stilled for ever. One short month
The mother clasped her first-born to her heart,
And then came envious Death with ruthless face,
And breathing on it chilled its blood to ice,
And the pure spirit took its flight to God.
Upon its marble cheek a blush of pink,
Like that which flushes o'er the sea-shell's rim,
As if enamoured of a couch so pure,
Slept still; and thro' the parted lips you'd think
There ever stole a balmy breathing forth,
So like to sleep was death.
Its little dimpled hand a lily clasped,
287
And plucked withal untimely, ere the rose
Had time to deepen on its rounded cheek.
But lingered on its mouth a seraph smile,
For Death, repentant of the theft he made,
Had left it there, to soothe the mother's woe.
| Voices from the Lakes, and Other Poems | |