A CHILD was born in sin and shame, Wronged by his very birth, Without a home, without a name, One over in the earth. No wifely triumph he inspired, Allayed no husband's fear; Intruder bare, whom none desired, He had a welcome drear. Heaven's beggar, all but turned adrift For knocking at earth's gate, His mother, like an evil gift, Shunned him with sickly hate. And now the mistress on her knee The unloved baby bore, The while the servant sullenly Prepared to leave her door. Her eggs are dear to mother-dove, Her chickens to the hen; All young ones bring with them their love, Of sheep, or goats, or men! This one lone child shall not have come In vain for love to seek: Let mother's hardened heart be dumb, A sister-babe will speak! "Mother, keep baby—keep him @3so;@1 Don't let him go away." "But, darling, if his mother go, Poor baby cannot stay." "He's crying, mother: don't you see He wants to stay with you?" "No, child; he does not care for me." "Do keep him, mother—@3do.@1" "For his own mother he would cry; He's hungry now, I think." "Give him to me, and let @3me@1 try If I can make him drink. "Susan would hurt him! Mother @3will@1 Let the poor baby stay?" Her mother's heart grew sore, but still Baby must go away! The red lip trembled; the slow tears Came darkening in her eyes; Pressed on her heart a weight of fears That sought not ease in cries. 'Twas torture—must not be endured!— A too outrageous grief! Was there an ill could @3not@1 be cured? She @3would@1 find some relief! All round her universe she pried: No dawn began to break: In prophet-agony she cried— "Mother! when @3shall@1 we wake?" O insight born of torture's might!— Such grief @3can@1 only seem. Rise o'er the hills, eternal light, And melt the earthly dream. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IN A CUBAN GARDEN by SARA TEASDALE NOT BY THE SEA by SARA TEASDALE SPIRIT OF '76 by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS A REQUIEM FOR SOLDIERS LOST IN OCEAN TRANSPORTS by HERMAN MELVILLE THE HOUSE-TOP; A NIGHT PIECE by HERMAN MELVILLE SONNET: 10 by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY THE SURPRISE AT TICONDEROGA [MAY 10, 1775] by MARY ANNA PHINNEY STANSBURY |