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Poem
September 5, 1839
Staunton Spectator, And General Advertiser
Staunton, Virginia
What is this article about?
George D. Prentice's poem, written at age 14, is an elegy mourning his mother's death at her grave, expressing deep sorrow, longing for reunion, and spiritual blessing. Praised by the Democratic Review as remarkable.
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POETRY.
The Democratic Review some time since alluded to George D. Prentice, as entitled to the front rank among American poets. The reviewer instanced some lines, written at the age of 14, as particularly remarkable, and breathing the very soul of sorrow. They will be found below, and are indeed beautiful. We are indebted for them to the Louisville Literary Newsletter.
Written at my Mother's Grave.
BY G. D. PRENTICE.
The trembling dew-drops fall.
Upon the shutting flowers—like souls at rest
The stars shine gloriously—and all,
Save me, is blest.
Mother—I love thy grave!-
The violet, with its blossom blue and mild,
Waves o'er thy head; when shall it wave
Above thy child!
'Tis a sweet flower—yet must
Its bright leaves to the coming tempest bow,
Dear mother—'tis thine emblem—dust
Is on thy brow!-
And I could live to die—
To leave untasted life's dark, bitter streams;
By thee, as erst in childhood, lie,
And share thy dreams.
And must I linger here
To stain the plumage of my sinless years,
And mourn the hopes to childhood dear
With bitter tears!
Ay—must I linger, here,
A lonely branch upon a blasted tree,
Whose last frail leaf, untimely sere,
Went down with thee!
Oft from life's withered bower,
In still communion with the past I turn
And muse on thee, the only flower,
In memory's urn.
And, when the Evening pale
Bows like a mourner on the dim, blue wave,
I stray to hear the night winds wail
Around thy grave.
Where is thy spirit flown?-
I gaze above—thy look is imaged there—
I listen—and thy gentle tone
Is on the air.
Oh come—whilst here I press
My brow upon thy grave—and, in those mild
And thrilling tones of tenderness,
Bless, bless, thy child!
Yes, bless thy weeping child,
And o'er thine urn—religion's holiest shrine:
Oh! give his spirit undefiled
To blend with thine.
The Democratic Review some time since alluded to George D. Prentice, as entitled to the front rank among American poets. The reviewer instanced some lines, written at the age of 14, as particularly remarkable, and breathing the very soul of sorrow. They will be found below, and are indeed beautiful. We are indebted for them to the Louisville Literary Newsletter.
Written at my Mother's Grave.
BY G. D. PRENTICE.
The trembling dew-drops fall.
Upon the shutting flowers—like souls at rest
The stars shine gloriously—and all,
Save me, is blest.
Mother—I love thy grave!-
The violet, with its blossom blue and mild,
Waves o'er thy head; when shall it wave
Above thy child!
'Tis a sweet flower—yet must
Its bright leaves to the coming tempest bow,
Dear mother—'tis thine emblem—dust
Is on thy brow!-
And I could live to die—
To leave untasted life's dark, bitter streams;
By thee, as erst in childhood, lie,
And share thy dreams.
And must I linger here
To stain the plumage of my sinless years,
And mourn the hopes to childhood dear
With bitter tears!
Ay—must I linger, here,
A lonely branch upon a blasted tree,
Whose last frail leaf, untimely sere,
Went down with thee!
Oft from life's withered bower,
In still communion with the past I turn
And muse on thee, the only flower,
In memory's urn.
And, when the Evening pale
Bows like a mourner on the dim, blue wave,
I stray to hear the night winds wail
Around thy grave.
Where is thy spirit flown?-
I gaze above—thy look is imaged there—
I listen—and thy gentle tone
Is on the air.
Oh come—whilst here I press
My brow upon thy grave—and, in those mild
And thrilling tones of tenderness,
Bless, bless, thy child!
Yes, bless thy weeping child,
And o'er thine urn—religion's holiest shrine:
Oh! give his spirit undefiled
To blend with thine.
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Mother Grave
Elegy Sorrow
Prentice Poem
Youthful Verse
Mourning Death
What entities or persons were involved?
G. D. Prentice
Poem Details
Title
Written At My Mother's Grave.
Author
G. D. Prentice
Subject
At My Mother's Grave
Key Lines
Mother—I Love Thy Grave!—
The Violet, With Its Blossom Blue And Mild,
Waves O'er Thy Head; When Shall It Wave
Above Thy Child!
And I Could Live To Die—
To Leave Untasted Life's Dark, Bitter Streams;
By Thee, As Erst In Childhood, Lie,
And Share Thy Dreams.
Yes, Bless Thy Weeping Child,
And O'er Thine Urn—Religion's Holiest Shrine:
Oh! Give His Spirit Undefiled
To Blend With Thine.