The North Carolina Standard

POETRY.

The following lines, by a plain and uneducated young girl of this city, have been handed us for publication. They are not without poetical merit, and may convey a wholesome monition to some drunken fathers.-Am. Sent.

FROM THE AMERICAN SENTINEL.

THE DRUNKARD'S CHILD'S LAMENT

I never knew a father's love.
My sire ne'er breath'd a prayer for me,
But if his voice was raised above,
It was, to curse me bitterly.

I never knew what 'twas to see
A father's kind, approving look,
But if he ever smil'd on me,
It was a smile I scarce could brook

I never knew what 'twas to feel.
Or look on him with filial pride,
But if his name would o'er me steal,
Abash'd I shun'd the speaker's side.

I never knew what twas to watch
His coming home. in childish play,
But when I heard him lift the latch-
Trembling, with fear, I shrank away.

I've often gone with playmates home.
And seen them climb their father's knee,
And he would smile to see them come-
And all would seem so full of glee.

But ah! at noon, or eventide.
I dread my father's step to hear-
All's cheerless at our fireside-
And mother's cheeks are pale with fear.

Ah yes! I have one friend on earth.
Yes still I boast a mother's love,
And from the hour that gave me birth.
Have well her kind affection proved.

When sick at heart I seek my home,
With sorrow on my brow impress'd,
She soothes my woes, forgets her own,
And lulls me in her arms to rest.

How oft she sits in silent prayer,
While my own sire is railing by;
And oh! how oft her features bear
The marks of his brutality.

Ah ! who that has not felt. can tell
What pain, what anguish fills our heart,
And with what shame our bosoms swell,
To see him act so base a part.

Oh Thou ! who to the fatherless
Hast promised Thou'lt a Father be-
And 'specially the widow bless.
Who puts her only trust in Thee.

Oh ! wilt Thou not in mercy bow
Thine ever gracious, pitying ear ?
Wilt thou not be my father now--
Wilt thou not hear my mother's prayer?

Yes, tho' my father's heart's so hard,
And we are too, by sin defiled,
Still Thou wilt be my mother's guard.
And Thou wilt shield the drunkard's child.