Classic Poem

Beneath a weight of gratitude opprest,
With various passions struggling in my breast,
Where fond affection to my kindest friend,
And filial love with poignant pangs contend,
My feeble pen endeavours to impart
The warm sensations of a feeling heart.
With eyes suffus'd in tears I bid adieu,
My kind, my generous patroness to you!
But duty calls — her mandate I obey,
And with reluctance tear myself away,
And quit a situations, with regret,
I too much valu'd ever to forget.
But can I see, unmov'd, a mother's pain,
And coldly hear her tenderness complain?
See her involv'd in sickness and distress,
And not attempt to make her sorrows less?
Each soft emotion from my breast exclude —
Forbid it heaven! forbid it gratitude!
The being I enjoy did she not give?
And suffer torturing pangs that I might live?
My tender, helpless infancy protect,
And ne'er the fond, maternal task neglect?
And, with an unremitting care, instill
The love of virtue, and the dread of ill?
Henceforth, I in the pleasing task engage,
To prop the weakness of declining age;
When strength decays, and when her pulse beats low,
To ward, or mitigate, the fatal blow;
These necessary proofs of filial love,
Which heaven commands, it surely must approve;
Yet shall my Benefactress ever share
The pleasing theme of every fervent prayer;
Whilst vital life informs my ardent soul,
No change shall e'er its gratitude controul;
Too deeply is her kind regard imprest,
To be eradicated from my breast.
O thou! Almighty name! whose sovereign will,
Dispenses to thy creatures good or ill,
Watch o'er her safety, and with healing power,
Her much impair'd declining health restore;
Preserve her life, and long in mercy lend
The weak a guardian, and the poor a friend.
And O! if happiness can dwell below,
On her distinguish'd worth the gift bestow;
May all her past afflictions be forgot,
And social bliss , in future, be her lot;
Till she in triumph reach that happy shore,
Where pain and sorrow can invade no more.