On An Infant Dying As Soon as Born
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?