Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Sara Coleridge. 18021850662. The Child
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, | 5 |
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, | 10 |
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; | 15 |
But, while he learns these truths which we lament, | |
Such fortitude as ours will sure be sent, | |
Such solace to his care. |