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Poem
April 28, 1847
Portage Sentinel
Ravenna, Portage County, Ohio
What is this article about?
A poem reflecting on the sorrows of childbirth, warning a mother that her son will face strife in poverty or corruption in wealth, leading to misery either way.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
"Cried a pale one—'Give me joy, I have borne a cherub boy!"
Borne a boy! The world is full, crammed its game of push and pull; you have given that cherub life, for a gauntlet race of strife. If his heart be large and tender, sadly will his means be slender; everlasting duns will push him; poverty will cramp and crush him. If his heart be small and stony, it will canker with his money; rust will gnaw it through and through; care will vex it black and blue; and the wretch, oh! hapless mother, in his wealth will starve and smother!
Borne a boy! The world is full, crammed its game of push and pull; you have given that cherub life, for a gauntlet race of strife. If his heart be large and tender, sadly will his means be slender; everlasting duns will push him; poverty will cramp and crush him. If his heart be small and stony, it will canker with his money; rust will gnaw it through and through; care will vex it black and blue; and the wretch, oh! hapless mother, in his wealth will starve and smother!
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Birth
Poverty
Wealth
Strife
Mother
Misery
Poem Details
Subject
On Bearing A Son
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
"Cried A Pale One—'Give Me Joy, I Have Borne A Cherub Boy!"
Borne A Boy! The World Is Full, Crammed Its Game Of Push And Pull;
And The Wretch, Oh! Hapless Mother, In His Wealth Will Starve And Smother!