Poems Sigourney 1834/Intemperance

by Lydia Sigourney

For works with similar titles, see Intemperence.

INTEMPERANCE.

Parent! who with speechless feeling,
    O'er thy cradle treasure bent—
Found each year new claims revealing,
    Yet thy wealth of love unspent:
Hast thou seen that blossom blighted,
    By a dire, untimely frost?
All thy labour unrequited—
    Every glorious promise lost?

Wife! with agony unspoken,
    Shrinking from Affliction's rod,
Is thy prop, thine idol broken,
    Fondly trusted, next to God?
Husband! o'er thy hope a mourner;
    Of thy chosen friend ashamed:
Hast thou to her burial borne her,
    Unrepentant, unreclaimed?

Child! in tender weakness turning
    To thy heaven-appointed guide:
Doth a lava-poison burning,
    Tinge with gall affection's tide
Still that orphan-burden bearing,
    Darker than the grave can show,
Dost thou bow thee down despairing,
    To a heritage of woe?

Country! on thy sons depending,
    Strong in manhood, bright in bloom:
Hast thou seen thy pride descending,
    Shrouded to the unhonoured tomb?
Rise!—on eagle-pinion soaring,
    Rise!—like one of god-like birth,
And Jehovah's aid imploring,
    Sweep the spoiler from the earth.