Skinner, Rev. John (1721-1807)

To a Young Clergyman. [from Songs and poems, by the Rev. John Skinner. With a sketch of his life, by H. G. Reid]

1859

"(For sure thy sire had not a heart of steel)"

But why attempt description? words are vain!
The dreadful ruin mocks my languid strain--
And does my friend need counsel how to bear
This wound so piercing--stroke indeed severe;
Then think on what thy hoary sire must feel,
(For sure thy sire had not a heart of steel)
When by next dawn return'd from distant toil,
In hopes of welcome from thy mother's smile,
He saw, and star'd, and gaz'd at this and that,
And hop'd, and fear'd, and wish'd he knew not what?
'Till, like a voice, he heard from menial maid,
With wife and son in dire sepulchre laid,
Who ten long hours had groan'd an age of pain,
And just expiring, breath'd the how and when.
Now view him in a gulph of horror cast,
His heart-strings breaking, and his eyes aghast,
Like pictur'd patience, all benumb'd he stands,
And tries to lift, but drops his trembling hands;
No groan his heart emits, his eye no tear--
Good heaven! what more can mortals suffer here?

Mineral::Steel::Heart of Steel

Searching "heart" and "steel" in HDIS (Poetry)

06/10/2005