Sonnet
To a Friend Who Asked, How I Felt When the Nurse First Presented My Infant to Me
Charles! my slow heart was only sad, when first
I scanned that face of feeble infancy:
For dimly on my thoughtful spirit burst
All I had been, and all my child might be!
But when I saw it on its mother’s arm,
And hanging at her bosom (she the while
Bent o’er its features with a tearful smile)
Then I was thrilled and melted, and most warm
Impressed a father’s kiss: and all beguiled
Of dark remembrance and presageful fear,
I seemed to see an angel-form appear—
’Twas even thine, beloved woman mild!
So for the mother’s sake the child was dear,
And dearer was the mother for the child.
1796.