On
Parting
with
a
Mother
,
in
M
DCC
XC.
PAINFUL
Reflection
,
why
thus
force
the
tear
Which
sad
Reality
shall
claim
too
soon
?
While
idly
midnight's
dread
approach
I
fear
,
Fearing
I
waste
the
present
cheerful
noon
!
Fancy
anticipates
the
fond
embrace
,
The
watery
eye
,
the
voice
supprest
by
grief
,
The
brow
where
not
a
glimpse
of
hope
we
trace
,
The
heavy
heart
that
looks
not
for
relief
!
Fancy
,
who
paints
for
others
scenes
of
joy
,
For
me
paints
colours
of
a
darker
hue
,
And
by
the
thought
can
all
my
peace
destroy
,
That
I
must
bid
my
first
,
best
friend
adieu
.
Ah
!
when
that
hour
,
which
bears
me
far
away
From
all
that
once
this
aching
heart
held
dear
,
Shall
come
at
last
,
can
then
cold
Reason
say
One
word
of
comfort
to
Affliction's
ear
?
Nor
Thou
,
to
whom
at
Hymen's
sacred
shrine
I
vow'd
obedience
,
constancy
and
love
,
Shalt
blame
a
heart
that
is
not
wholly
thine
,
Or
ever
filial
feelings
disapprove
.
For
she
,
who
could
a
tranquil
mind
preserve
,
Who
could
unmov'd
the
parting
scene
endure
,
Form'd
for
ingratitude
,
would
ill
deserve
A
flame
like
dune
disint'rested
and
pure
.
I
know
thou'lt
try
my
anguish
to
restrain
,
By
future
hopes
my
present
grief
to
cheat
;
Thou'lt
promise
too
,
nor
be
that
promise
vain
,
That
soon
again
the
parted
friends
shall
meet
.
Delightful
thought
!
that
can
with
magic
art
Diffuse
the
glow
of
pleasure
o'er
my
cheek
,
Can
pluck
the
thorn
of
sorrow
from
my
heart
,
And
to
my
ear
can
consolation
speak
!
If
thou
wilt
,
Fancy
,
paint
a
future
scene
,
Paint
that
,
when
we
shall
shortly
meet
again
—
Paint
the
enraptur'd
eye
,
the
festive
mien
,
Paint
the
wild
joy
so
near
allied
to
pain
.
Then
,
friendly
Fancy
,
will
I
court
thy
stay
,
Then
shalt
thou
fondly
be
by
me
caress'd
;
But
,
if
thou
wilt
not
paint
that
happy
day
,
Fly
with
Reflection
from
my
tortur'd
breast
.