Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON VIEWING HER SLEEPING INFANT CHARLES COWPER, by MARIA FRANCES CECILIA (MADAN) COWPER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON VIEWING HER SLEEPING INFANT CHARLES COWPER, by                    
First Line: I have seen the rosebud blow
Last Line: Till crowned with endless joys above!
Subject(s): Children; Mothers; Childhood


I HAVE seen the rosebud blow,
And in the jocund sunbeam glow,
Sportive lambs on airy mound,
Skipping o'er the velvet ground;
And the sprightly-footed morn,
When every hedge and every thorn
Was decked in spring's apparel gay,
All the pride of opening May:
Yet -- nor rosebud early blowing,
In the jocund sunbeam glowing,
Nor the sportive lambs that bound
O'er the sweet enamelled ground,
Nor the sprightly-footed morn,
When brilliants hang on every thorn --
These not half thy charms display:
Thou art fairer still than they,
Still more innocent, more gay!
Mild thou art as evening showers,
Stealing on ambrosial flowers;
Or the silver-shining moon
Riding near her highest noon.
Who, to view thy peaceful form,
Heeds the winter-blowing storm?
Thy smiles the calm of heaven bestow,
And soothe the bitterest sense of woe!
As bees, that suck the honeyed store
From silvery dews, on blushing flower,
So on thy cheek's more lovely bloom
I scent the rose's quick perfume.
Thine ivory extended arms,
To hold the heart -- what powerful charms!
Come, soft babe! with every grace
Glowing in thy matchless face --
Come, unconscious innocence!
Every winning charm dispense --
All thy little arts -- thine own --
For thou the world hast never known!
And yet thou canst, a thousand ways,
A mother's partial fondness raise!
And all her anxious soul detain
With many a link of pleasing chain;
Leading captive at thy will,
Following thy little fancies still.
Though nature yet thy tongue restrains,
Nor canst thou lisp thy joys or pains!
Yet every gracious meaning lies
Within the covert of thine eyes:
Wit, and the early dawn of sense,
Live in their silent eloquence.
May every future day impart
New virtues to adorn thy heart;
May gracious heaven profusely shed
Its choicest blessings o'er thy head!
Blessed, and a blessing, mayst thou prove,
Till crowned with endless joys above!





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