XV.—THE MOTHER’S LAMENT.
When I was young, when I was fair,1
Two suitors risked refusing ;2
My gallant James had all my heart,3
John was my parents’ choosing !4
I had not been the Lord of Shane’s5
Twelve months and barely three,6
When he left me a widow young,7
With a baby at my knee.8
I had not been a widow young9
Twelve months and barely three,10
When my old love he sought me out,11
And James did comfort me.12
Then every thing a new life took,13
And Life itself grew young,14
And I could hear the music then15
In a sweet baby’s tongue.16
Another baby boy I had,17
With his dear father’s eyes,18
And mimic smiles, to cause my heart19
Perpetual sweet surprise.20
But James had fortune still to seek21
And must his land forsake,22
And soon the little ones and I23
Must follow in his wake.24
So with my babes I sailed across25
The fickle summer sea ;26
It seemed to me I left no loss,27
My heart leapt forward, he28
Stood where the western waters toss,29
And beckoned on to me.30
John prattled of the sea, the babe31
Crowed at the dashing foam :32
We trod a grave we thought not of,33
And left behind a home !34
But madly dashed the waves one night,35
Up to the heavens, and back :36
Ah, dreadful mingled sea and sky,37
And fearful waters, mountains high,38
Closed round, and hid our track !39
Up to the deck each soul, aghast,40
Crowded in fierce despair,41
To try—last hope !— if e’er a rope42
Might reach the land off there !43
Two dogs had in that boiling tide44
Struggled, striven, toiled, and died :45
A mastiff only, now remained,46
On whom each desperate eye was strained.47
He won : how each upon that rope48
Himself in maddest hurry flung !49
Oh ! how they jostled, swore, and shrieked,50
And firm, and firmer clung !51
A greater wretch than any there—52
Two children in my arms—53
I struggled on to just half way,54
Strong with intense alarms.55
Just half the way, and then I found56
I could, alas ! no more—57
“ Save John” some screamed,58
“ For with the babe,59
It will be quicklier o’er.”60
Oh baby ! baby ! thy dear hand61
Was close around my neck,62
Ah ! what so precious to be saved63
Of all that mighty wreck !64
But John !— it seemed I clasped him tight,65
Yet somehow—in my puzzled haste—66
Came one great swell, a cry of fright,67
And then,—the waters dashed him past ;—68
And then the waters sucked him down,69
But still I saw his childish eyes70
Turn to me with upbraiding frown71
Of grave and strange surprise.72
But I was maddened at the time,73
With panting sobs I struggled on,74
And brought the baby safe to shore ;—75
But peace was lost with John !76
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He comes ; that little one at night,77
He rises when I pray—78
With dripping locks and limbs doth stand79
And till the morning stay ;80
While through his hair, with sea-weed mixed,81
The sea-worms creep and play.82
“ ’Twas cruel, Mother, when you knew83
The drowning pangs t’would dost,84
And little baby in the waves85
Be in a moment lost.86
One would not think that you would then87
Care which you treasured most !88
“ Ah ! if I had my brother’s eyes !89
Or if I had not mine !—90
I had not then been left to lie91
Tossing amidst the brine.92
Oh ! Mother ! all day long the worms93
Around my body twine !94
The cruel winds they shriek,95
The cruel waters rave ;96
You would not think how sad it is97
To have a watery grave.”98
Then do I raise my weeping face,99
“ Oh, John, I did love thee !100
I was an hour of mad uproar101
And sore extremity.”102
But ever sobbing stands my boy,103
And shakes his head at me.104
The earth is desert for his sale :105
His sire in heaven demands106
My condemnation, who refused107
Those little pleading hands ;—108
The twilight deepens into night ;—109
See ! yonder ;— —where he stands !110
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