Elizabeth Gaskell

"On Visiting the Grave of my Stillborn Little Girl" (Sunday, July 4th, 1836)

I made a vow within my soul, O child,
When thou wert laid beside my weary heart,
With marks of Death on every, tender part,
That, if in time a living infant smiled,
Winning my ear with gentle sounds of love
In sunshine of such joy, I still would save
A green rest for thy memory, O Dove!
And oft times visit thy small, nameless grave.
Thee have I not forgot, my firstborn, thou
Whose eyes ne'er opened to my wistful gaze,
Whose suff'rings stamped with pain thy little brow;
I think of thee in these far happier days,
And thou, my child, from thy bright heaven see
How well I keep my faithful vow to thee.

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