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Poem
February 16, 1830
Lancaster Gazette
Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
A neglected child reflects on her mother's favoritism toward her beautiful sister, enduring emotional pain until she nurses the sister through a severe illness, earning her love and friendship.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
POETRY.
From the Literary Souvenir.
THE NEGLECTED CHILD.
She never was a favourite;—
My mother never smiled
On me, with half the tenderness
That blessed her fairer child:
I've seen her kiss my sister's cheek,
While fondled on her knee
I've turned away to hide my tears,
There was no kiss for me!
And yet I strove to please, with all
My little store of sense;
I strove to please, and infancy
Can rarely give offence:
But when my artless efforts met
A cold, ungentle check:
I did not dare to throw myself
In tears upon her neck,
How blessed are the beautiful!
Love watches o'er their birth
Oh beauty! in my nursery:
I learned to know thy worth;
For even there, I often felt
Forsaken and forlorn:
And wished—for others wished it too—
I never had been born!
I am sure I was affectionate,
But in my sister's face,
There was a look of love that claimed
A smile or an embrace,
But when I raised my lip, to meet
The pressure children prize,
None knew the feelings of my heart
They spake not in my eyes.
But oh! that heart too keenly felt
The anguish of neglect:
I saw my sister's lovely form
With gems and roses decked
I did not covet thee: but oft
When wantonly reproved,
I envied her the privilege
Of being so beloved,
But soon a time of triumph came,
A time of sorrow too,—
For sickness o'er my sister's form
Her venom'd mantle threw:
The features once so beautiful!
Now wore the hue of death:
And former friends shrank fearfully
From her infectious breath—
'Twas then, unwearied, day and night
I watched beside her bed,
And fearlessly upon my breast
I pillowed her poor head.
She lived!—she loved me for my care!
My grief was at an end;
I was a lonely being once, . . .
But now I have a friend!
From the Literary Souvenir.
THE NEGLECTED CHILD.
She never was a favourite;—
My mother never smiled
On me, with half the tenderness
That blessed her fairer child:
I've seen her kiss my sister's cheek,
While fondled on her knee
I've turned away to hide my tears,
There was no kiss for me!
And yet I strove to please, with all
My little store of sense;
I strove to please, and infancy
Can rarely give offence:
But when my artless efforts met
A cold, ungentle check:
I did not dare to throw myself
In tears upon her neck,
How blessed are the beautiful!
Love watches o'er their birth
Oh beauty! in my nursery:
I learned to know thy worth;
For even there, I often felt
Forsaken and forlorn:
And wished—for others wished it too—
I never had been born!
I am sure I was affectionate,
But in my sister's face,
There was a look of love that claimed
A smile or an embrace,
But when I raised my lip, to meet
The pressure children prize,
None knew the feelings of my heart
They spake not in my eyes.
But oh! that heart too keenly felt
The anguish of neglect:
I saw my sister's lovely form
With gems and roses decked
I did not covet thee: but oft
When wantonly reproved,
I envied her the privilege
Of being so beloved,
But soon a time of triumph came,
A time of sorrow too,—
For sickness o'er my sister's form
Her venom'd mantle threw:
The features once so beautiful!
Now wore the hue of death:
And former friends shrank fearfully
From her infectious breath—
'Twas then, unwearied, day and night
I watched beside her bed,
And fearlessly upon my breast
I pillowed her poor head.
She lived!—she loved me for my care!
My grief was at an end;
I was a lonely being once, . . .
But now I have a friend!
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Friendship
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Neglected Child
Sister Favoritism
Beauty Privilege
Illness Caregiving
Familial Bond
What entities or persons were involved?
From The Literary Souvenir.
Poem Details
Title
The Neglected Child.
Author
From The Literary Souvenir.
Subject
Neglect Of An Unattractive Child By Her Mother In Favor Of Her Beautiful Sister, Redeemed By Caregiving During Illness
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
She Never Was A Favourite;—
My Mother Never Smiled
On Me, With Half The Tenderness
That Blessed Her Fairer Child:
How Blessed Are The Beautiful!
Love Watches O'er Their Birth
Oh Beauty! In My Nursery:
I Learned To Know Thy Worth;
'Twas Then, Unwearied, Day And Night
I Watched Beside Her Bed,
And Fearlessly Upon My Breast
I Pillowed Her Poor Head.
She Lived!—She Loved Me For My Care!
My Grief Was At An End;
I Was A Lonely Being Once, . . .
But Now I Have A Friend!