50
THE DISTRACTED MOTHER.
Peace forsakes my throbbing bosom— Reason flies my bursting brain—Mercy, Heav'n! and must I lose him; Never see my child again!
Hark! yon shriek that loudly floated On the gale, so piercing wild—'Tis the voice on which I doated— 'Tis my darling, only child!
Still I see his bosom bleeding— Stretch'd upon his early bier:—Mothers! when my tale is reading, Drop the sympathetic tear.
Edward was my pride and pleasure; Graceful grew my manly boy;All his mind a fund of treasure— Seat of innocence and joy.
But my Edward, fir'd by glory, Fled my fond protecting arms;Sigh'd for fame in honour's story, Sigh'd for battle's wild alarms.
