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Poem
July 12, 1819
Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
A poignant poem about a blind widow mother cradling her infant son, expressing deep anguish and praying to God for just one hour of sight to behold his cherub face resembling his father's. Signed E. R. Y., dated Providence, June 8, 1819.
Clipping
OCR Quality
96%
Excellent
Full Text
From the Ladies' Literary Cabinet.
THE BLIND MOTHER.
I saw a mother! in her arms
Her infant child was sleeping:
The mother, while the infant slept,
Her guardian watch was keeping.
Around its little tender form
Her snow white arm was flung.
And o'er its little infant head
Her bending tresses hung.
"Sleep sweetly on, my darling babe,
My own, my only child:"
And as she spoke the infant woke,
And on its mother smiled.
But oh! no fondly answering smile
The mother's visage graced,
For she was blind, and could not see
The infant she embraced.
But now he lisp'd his mother's name,
And now the mother press'd
Her darling, much lov'd baby boy,
Unto her widow'd breast.
But sudden anguish seiz'd her mind,
Her voice was sweetly wild:
"My God," she cried, "but grant me sight,
One hour! to see my child!
"To look upon its cherub face,
And see its father's there:
But pardon, if the wish be wrong,
A widow'd mother's prayer!"
And as she spoke, her anguish grew
More louder and more wild;
And closer to her aching breast
She clasp'd her orphan child.
E. R. Y.
Providence, June 8th, 1819.
THE BLIND MOTHER.
I saw a mother! in her arms
Her infant child was sleeping:
The mother, while the infant slept,
Her guardian watch was keeping.
Around its little tender form
Her snow white arm was flung.
And o'er its little infant head
Her bending tresses hung.
"Sleep sweetly on, my darling babe,
My own, my only child:"
And as she spoke the infant woke,
And on its mother smiled.
But oh! no fondly answering smile
The mother's visage graced,
For she was blind, and could not see
The infant she embraced.
But now he lisp'd his mother's name,
And now the mother press'd
Her darling, much lov'd baby boy,
Unto her widow'd breast.
But sudden anguish seiz'd her mind,
Her voice was sweetly wild:
"My God," she cried, "but grant me sight,
One hour! to see my child!
"To look upon its cherub face,
And see its father's there:
But pardon, if the wish be wrong,
A widow'd mother's prayer!"
And as she spoke, her anguish grew
More louder and more wild;
And closer to her aching breast
She clasp'd her orphan child.
E. R. Y.
Providence, June 8th, 1819.
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Blind Mother
Infant Child
Widow Anguish
Prayer For Sight
Maternal Love
Orphan Babe
What entities or persons were involved?
E. R. Y.
Poem Details
Title
The Blind Mother
Author
E. R. Y.
Subject
A Blind Widow And Her Infant
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
"My God," She Cried, "But Grant Me Sight,
One Hour! To See My Child!
"To Look Upon Its Cherub Face,
And See Its Father's There:
But Pardon, If The Wish Be Wrong,
A Widow'd Mother's Prayer!"