POEMS
COMPOSED OR SUGGESTED DURING A TOUR IN THE SUMMER OF 1833
XXXIX. MONUMENT OF MRS. HOWARD
POEMS
COMPOSED OR SUGGESTED DURING A TOUR IN THE SUMMER OF 1833
STRETCHED on the dying Mother’s lap, lies dead Her new-born Babe; dire ending of bright hope! But Sculpture here, with the divinest scope Of luminous faith, heavenward hath raised that head So patiently; and through one hand has spread A touch so tender for the insensate Child– (Earth’s lingering love to parting reconciled, Brief parting, for the spirit is all but fled)– That we, who contemplate the turns of life Through this still medium, are consoled and cheered; 10 Feel with the Mother, think the severed Wife Is less to be lamented than revered; And own that Art, triumphant over strife And pain, hath powers to Eternity endeared.