SEE yon blithe child that dances in our sight! Can gloomy shadows fall from one so bright? Fond mother, whence these fears? While buoyantly he rushes o'er the lawn, Dream not of clouds to stain his manhood's dawn, Nor dim that sight with tears. No cloud he spies in brightly glowing hours, But feels as if the newly vested bowers For him could never fade: Too well we know that vernal pleasures fleet, But having him, so gladsome, fair, and sweet, Our loss is overpaid. Amid the balmiest flowers that earth can give Some bitter drops distil, and all that live A mingled portion share; But, while he learns these truths which we lament, Such fortitude as ours will sure be sent, Such solace to his care. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MY MOTHER LEFT ME by KAREN SWENSON LACK OF STEADFASTNESS; BALLAD by GEOFFREY CHAUCER THE SCHRECKHORN by THOMAS HARDY THEOCRITUS; A VILLANELLE by OSCAR WILDE PSALM 50 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE A NEW PILGRIMAGE: 3 by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT THE MANX WITCH; A STORY OF THE LAXDALE MINES by THOMAS EDWARD BROWN |