On An Infant Dying As Soon as Born

Isawwhereintheshrouddidlurk

AcuriousframeofNature’swork;

Afloweretcrushdinthebud,

AnamelesspieceofBabyhood,

Wasinhercradle-coffinlying;

Extinct,withscarcethesenseofdying:

Sosoontoexchangetheimprisoningwomb

Fordarkerclosetsofthetomb!

Shedidbutopeaneye,andput

Aclearbeamforth,thenstraightupshut

Forthelongdark:neermoretosee

Throughglassesofmortality.

Riddleofdestiny,whocanshow

Whatthyshortvisitmeant,orknow

Whatthyerrandherebelow?

ShallwesaythatNatureblind

Checkdherhand,andchangedhermind,

Justwhenshehadexactlywrought

Afinishdpatternwithoutfault?

Couldsheflag,orcouldshetire,

OrlackdshethePrometheanfire

(Withherninemoonslongworkingssickend)

Thatshouldthylittlelimbshavequickend?

Limbssofirm,theyseemdtoassure

Lifeofhealth,anddaysmature:

Womansselfinminiature!

Limbssofair,theymightsupply

(Themselvesnowbutcoldimagery)

ThesculptortomakeBeautyby.

Ordidthestern-eyedFatedescry

Thatbabeormother,onemustdie;

Soinmercyleftthestock

Andcutthebranch;tosavetheshock

Ofyoungyearswidowd,andthepain

Whensinglestateesbackagain

Tothelonemanwho,reftofwife,

Thenceforwarddragsamaimèdlife?

TheeconomyofHeavenisdark,

Andwisestclerkshavemissdthemark,

Whyhumanbuds,likethis,shouldfall,

Morebriefthanflyephemeral

Thathashisday;whileshrivelldcrones

Stiffenwithagetostocksandstones;

Andcrabbèdusetheconsciencesears

Insinnersofanhundredyears.

Mothersprattle,motherskiss,

Babyfond,thouneerwiltmiss:

Rites,whichcustomdoesimpose,

Silverbells,andbabyclothes;

Coralredderthanthoselips

Whichpaledeathdidlateeclipse;

Musicframedforinfantsglee,

Whistlenevertunedforthee;

Thoughthouwantstnot,thoushalthavethem,

Lovingheartsweretheywhichgavethem.

Letnotonebemissing;nurse,

Seethemlaiduponthehearse

Ofinfantslainbydoomperverse.

Whyshouldkingsandnobleshave

Picturedtrophiestotheirgrave,

Andwe,churls,totheedeny

Thyprettytoyswiththeetolie;

Amoreharmlessvanity?

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