Poems by Mary Russell Mitford. Second edition, with considerable additions |
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ON THE
VICTORY OF BARROSA. |
 | Poems |  |
255
ON THE VICTORY OF BARROSA.
TO MRS. TAYLOR, OF HARTLEY COURT, NEAR READING,
MOTHER OF COLONEL NORCOTT.
Is there a joy unstain'd, unmingled given,
Or only mix'd with gratitude to Heaven!
Is there a pride so holy, that the blaze
Which fires the heart is caught from virtue's rays.
'Tis when the mother hails her warlike son
From the red field by conquering valor won!
'Tis when the mother hears the voice of Fame
“Shout and reverberate” her hero's name!
Oft has the bliss through that fond bosom past,
Yet is each triumph dearer than the last:
Dearer for anxious days, for nightly tears,
For all the pangs she knows, and all she fears.
From one pure spring those tender feelings part,
Spring of celestial love! the mother's heart.
Or only mix'd with gratitude to Heaven!
Is there a pride so holy, that the blaze
Which fires the heart is caught from virtue's rays.
'Tis when the mother hails her warlike son
From the red field by conquering valor won!
'Tis when the mother hears the voice of Fame
“Shout and reverberate” her hero's name!
256
Yet is each triumph dearer than the last:
Dearer for anxious days, for nightly tears,
For all the pangs she knows, and all she fears.
From one pure spring those tender feelings part,
Spring of celestial love! the mother's heart.
Thrice happy thou such transports to have prov'd!
Thrice happy son by such a mother lov'd!
Whose hope aspiring lulls her fear to rest,
The bravest spirit in the gentlest breast;
Who mildly wise each virtuous precept caught,
And gave the bright example which she taught.
Thrice happy son by such a mother lov'd!
Whose hope aspiring lulls her fear to rest,
The bravest spirit in the gentlest breast;
Who mildly wise each virtuous precept caught,
And gave the bright example which she taught.
Blessing and blest, ah, long may ye remain!
Heaven shield the hero on the battle-plain!
For this each lovely sister heaves a sigh;
This dews the Brother's and the Father's eye;
The beauteous wife this one great mercy seeks;
These the first words the lisping infant speaks;
And this—ah, none that tender fear can share!
This the fond Mother's earliest latest prayer.
Heaven shield the hero on the battle-plain!
And blest and blessing long may ye remain!
Heaven shield the hero on the battle-plain!
257
This dews the Brother's and the Father's eye;
The beauteous wife this one great mercy seeks;
These the first words the lisping infant speaks;
And this—ah, none that tender fear can share!
This the fond Mother's earliest latest prayer.
Heaven shield the hero on the battle-plain!
And blest and blessing long may ye remain!
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