Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SCOTIA: A VISION, by JANET HAMILTON Poet's Biography First Line: Midnight's solemn peal had rung Last Line: Seemed wrapt in sadder, deeper gloom. Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson Subject(s): Marriage; Mothers; Women; Weddings; Husbands; Wives | ||||||||
MIDNIGHT'S solemn peal had rung; My drowsy spirit listless hung Between the certain and unreal, When visioned forms and shapes ideal Come floating from the dreamy cells Where vagrant fancy ever dwells. And thus, half-conscious, in my ear A wailing voice I seemed to hear; Its tones were thrilling, sad, and wild, Like mother's anguish o'er her child. Methought my casement opened wide, A female form, that seemed to glide On air, within my chamber stood. I knew her by the plaid and snood That bound her streaming golden hair, With rainbow hues all checker'd fair. Her flowing robe around her fell; Entranced I lay, as if a spell Had bound me. On her mournful face Love, sorrow, majesty, and grace Were blended: she the silence broke; My heart leaped up, 'twas Scotia spoke. "Where shall I hide my world-wide shame?" She cried; "Ye jewels of my fame, My virtuous maidens, fair and bright, Come forth and bless your Scotia's sight Come dressed in Virtue's spotless charms, To honour, grace, and bless the arms Of wedded love. The wound is deep That pains my heart; I mourn and weep This sad reproach above all others, My nameless babes and unwed mothers. This plague-sore eats away my life; Stand up and answer, mother, wife Have you by teaching, watching, prayer, By fair example, ceaseless care, Trained up your child that she should go In Virtue's pathsay, is it so? Let conscience speak, the roll of time Is black with shame and red with crime." She paused, my bosom heaved and thrilled. When next she spoke, her eyes were filled With burning tears of grief and shame. "Lost is the prestige of my name; My daughters, modest, pure, and good What hand shall save from ruin's flood The fair frail barks it soon would whelm? Mothers, good mothers, at the helm!" She ceased, she vanished, and my room Seemed wrapt in sadder, deeper gloom. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BLESSING FOR A WEDDING by JANE HIRSHFIELD A SUITE FOR MARRIAGE by DAVID IGNATOW ADVICE TO HER SON ON MARRIAGE by MARY BARBER THE RABBI'S SON-IN-LAW by SABINE BARING-GOULD KISSING AGAIN by DORIANNE LAUX A TIME PAST by DENISE LEVERTOV A BALLAD FOUNDED ON A REAL INCIDENT WHICH OCCURED IN HIGH LIFE by JANET HAMILTON |
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