 | The forest minstrel |  |
TO MRS. S---.
A COMMENT ON HER WORDS, “MY FIRST-BORN SON,” IN A LETTER TO THE AUTHOR. (1838.)
“My first-born son!” If aught there is
That touches all affection's chords,
And stirs the deepest fount of bliss,
It lives in these endearing words.
That touches all affection's chords,
And stirs the deepest fount of bliss,
It lives in these endearing words.
How many thrilling cares and fears
Are born with that one helpless child,
Is witnessed by the throbs and tears
With which his new-named parents smiled.
Are born with that one helpless child,
Is witnessed by the throbs and tears
With which his new-named parents smiled.
From the deep spirit gushes forth
A spring of love unknown before,
And there's no power, no spell of earth,
Can keep that spring from running o'er.
A spring of love unknown before,
And there's no power, no spell of earth,
Can keep that spring from running o'er.
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Dear madam, may no bitter drop
Dash that sweet fountain in thy breast;
No cruel canker blight thy hope,
No mildew on thy young bud rest.
Dash that sweet fountain in thy breast;
No cruel canker blight thy hope,
No mildew on thy young bud rest.
But may he flourish, strong and fair,
A beautiful and blessed child,
That thou mayst feel no bitter care
For that fair form and spirit mild;
A beautiful and blessed child,
That thou mayst feel no bitter care
For that fair form and spirit mild;
But even in his infant breast,
May Jesus plant his love divine,
And grace upon his spirit rest,
To shed the dew of peace on thine.
May Jesus plant his love divine,
And grace upon his spirit rest,
To shed the dew of peace on thine.
So shall he be the glorious flower,
That crowns with joy the parent tree,
And bless thee in thine autumn hour,
With ripe fruits of felicity.
That crowns with joy the parent tree,
And bless thee in thine autumn hour,
With ripe fruits of felicity.
And when at length the snows of age
Lie cold and heavy on thy head,
His piety shall pain assuage,
And smiling comfort round thee spread.
Lie cold and heavy on thy head,
His piety shall pain assuage,
And smiling comfort round thee spread.
Thus would I bless thee in thy son,—
But, lady! He, who knoweth best,
May choose to take thy little one
To his celestial home of rest.
But, lady! He, who knoweth best,
May choose to take thy little one
To his celestial home of rest.
Remember, when thy warm heart clings
Fondly around thy infant boy,
That death may break those twining strings,
And rob thee of a parent's joy.
Fondly around thy infant boy,
That death may break those twining strings,
And rob thee of a parent's joy.
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Then do not fondly idolize
The treasure lent thee from above,
But hold it as a sacred trust
From Him who claims supremest love.
The treasure lent thee from above,
But hold it as a sacred trust
From Him who claims supremest love.
Then should his tender mercy free
From earth and sin that darling child,
Thou wilt escape the agony
That tortures th' unreconciled.
From earth and sin that darling child,
Thou wilt escape the agony
That tortures th' unreconciled.
| The forest minstrel | |