Oh, pity her who's never known a care; Who's never been denied, or shed a tear; Whose heart has not stood still with sudden fear At fevered brow of little one, so fair; If another's grief she's never had to share, Or never had, with anguish deep, to part From loved ones dear . . . or cherished thing of heart; Nor stood, aloof and chilled, by thrust unfair. Oh, pity her if travail she's not known, Or sweetest care, the care of motherhood! If all or part of these she has not known, The wine she drinks from out life's cup -- not good, A tasteless brew, leaving thirst unquenched -- At last, and bitter grown for life . . . not lived. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A MUSICAL by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR EPICUREAN by WILLIAM JAMES LINTON SUMMER DAWN by WILLIAM MORRIS (1834-1896) THE LAMENTATION OF GLUMDALCLITCH FOR THE LOSS OF GRILDRIG by ALEXANDER POPE SONGS OF TRAVEL: 1. THE VAGABOND by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON SONNET: 9. TO THE RIVER LODON by THOMAS WARTON THE YOUNGER THE PLEASURES OF IMAGINATION; A POEM. ENLARGED VERSION: BOOK 3 by MARK AKENSIDE |