MOURNFUL, sighing, sadly weeping, Sleepless 'midst a household sleeping; Midnight's lonely vigil keeping, Darkling and alone; From my sore each friend and lover Stand aloof, I may not cover The burning wound that all discover— Comforters are none. Rachel for her children wailing With a woe how unavailing Aught to soothe—and comfort failing To assuage her moans. The Jewish mother, Ramah's daughter, When her babes were given to slaughter, Saw their pure young blood like water Pour'd upon the stones. 'Midst her martyred infants kneeling, High the wail of anguished feeling, Mother's love, and woe revealing, Thrilled upon the air; Then were seen bright angels bending O'er the slain—white wings extending To waft the spirits heavenward tending— She has found them there. But, ah! the children of my sorrow— Night is theirs—no hopeful morrow: Alas! worn heart, where wilt thou borrow Words thy grief to show? Oh, my sons, ere sin beguiling Plunged you into depths defiling Of intemperance, treacherous smiling— Gulf of sin and woe! Ye were innocent and loving, Mother's deepest yearnings moving, Her soft arms and bosom proving Shelter still and rest Babes of Bethlehem, loved and cherished, Would my babes like you had perished! Reft while sinless, spotless, cherished, From the mother's breast They were spared, were fostered, nourished, Plants of hope, they bloomed and flourished, Yet they withered, fell and perished, In their summer prime. Lost, oh lost! Say not for ever, One there is who can deliver, Seek and save the lost—dissever Youth from guilt and crime. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND MORE by ROBERT MORRIS THE TRIUMPH OF TIME by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE ST. SIMEON STYLITES by ALFRED TENNYSON HUDSON RIVER ANTHOLOGY by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS INVITATION TO A PAINTER: 1 by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM SONNET (2) by JOACHIM DU BELLAY |