Poems (Hinxman)/Sonnets
For works with similar titles, see Sonnets.
SONNETS
ONTHE SUDDEN DEATH OF A CHILD UPON NEW YEAR'S EVE.
I.
Methought. I saw a household full of mirth,
The children sported, elders smiling gazed;
But mute and unregarded on the hearth,
Sat an old man in flowing garments wrapt.
The clock gave warning, and the children clapped
Their hands with laughter; but that old man raised
His time-bent form, muttering, "I must be gone."
They heard or heeded not; but as he passed,
His garments folded round a fair-haired child,
That somewhat stood apart, and something pale,
And it therein was hidden—carried on
Forth to the darkness and the midnight blast;
While in that room was left an outcry wild,
The shriek of childhood, and the parents' wail.
The children sported, elders smiling gazed;
But mute and unregarded on the hearth,
Sat an old man in flowing garments wrapt.
The clock gave warning, and the children clapped
Their hands with laughter; but that old man raised
His time-bent form, muttering, "I must be gone."
They heard or heeded not; but as he passed,
His garments folded round a fair-haired child,
That somewhat stood apart, and something pale,
And it therein was hidden—carried on
Forth to the darkness and the midnight blast;
While in that room was left an outcry wild,
The shriek of childhood, and the parents' wail.
II.
I followed the dark form that streamed through night,
Till on earth's verge he stood; a hueless blank
Beneath him, and in front a silver bank
Of fleecy clouds, whence issued, ardent, bright,
A youth in act to climb the world's steep brow.
Above was glory, and this song through space:
"Poor outspent slave of Time, go, seek thy tomb!
Hie thee, gay youngling, on thy little span!
But to thine endless present enter thou,
Foreknown from ages, seed of ransomed man!"
That youth went darkening o'er the earth's dim face,
That aged form flowed out in utter gloom,
And from his cloudy train with radiant eyes
And gleaming hair, I saw the child arise.
Till on earth's verge he stood; a hueless blank
Beneath him, and in front a silver bank
Of fleecy clouds, whence issued, ardent, bright,
A youth in act to climb the world's steep brow.
Above was glory, and this song through space:
"Poor outspent slave of Time, go, seek thy tomb!
Hie thee, gay youngling, on thy little span!
But to thine endless present enter thou,
Foreknown from ages, seed of ransomed man!"
That youth went darkening o'er the earth's dim face,
That aged form flowed out in utter gloom,
And from his cloudy train with radiant eyes
And gleaming hair, I saw the child arise.
Oct. 24. 1852.