The Poetical Works of Elizabeth Margaret Chandler/The Bereaved Father

The Bereaved Father
Ye have gone from me, gentle ones! With all your shouts of mirth; A silence is within my walls, A darkness round my hearth.

The brightness from my life has gone, The gladness from my heart! Alas! alas! that such as you From home and love should part!

Woe to the hearts that heard, unmoved, The mother's anguish'd shriek! And mock'd, with taunting scorn, the tears That bathed a father's cheek.

Woe to the hands that tore you hence, My innocent and good! Not e'en the tigress of the wild, Thus tears her fellow's brood.

I list to hear your soft sweet tones, Upon the morning air; I gaze amidst the twilight's gloom, As if to find you there.

But you no more come bounding forth, To meet me in your glee; And when the evening shadows fall, Ye are not at my knee.

Your forms are aye before my eyes, Your voices on my ear, And all things wear a thought of you, But you no more are here.

You were the glory of my life, My blessing and my pride! I half forgot the name of slave, When you were by my side!

Woe for the lot that waiteth you, My victim babes! through life; Who now shall teach you to bear up Amidst its bitter strife!

Woe for your lot, ye doom'd ones! woe! A seal is on your fate! And shame, and toil, and wretchedness, On all your steps await!