The Father's Lament

James Hogg 1770 (Ettrick, Scotland) – 1835 (Ettrick, Scotland)



How can you bid this heart be blithe,
When blithe this heart can never be?
I've lost the jewel from my crown -
Look round our circle, and you'll see
That there is ane out o' the ring
Who never can forgotten be -
Ay, there's a blank at my right hand,
That ne'er can be made up to me!

'Tis said, as water wears the rock,
That time wears out the deepest line;
It may be true wi' hearts enow,
But never can apply to mine.
For I have learn'd to know and feel -
Though losses should forgotten be -
That still the blank at my right hand
Can never be made up to me!

I blame not Providence's sway,
For I have many joys beside;
And fain would I in grateful way
Enjoy the same, whate'er betide.
A mortal thing should ne'er repine,
But stoop to supreme decree;
Yet oh! the blank at my right hand
Can never be made up to me.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

52 sec read
53

Quick analysis:

Scheme xabaxaca xdbdxacA efefbacA
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 800
Words 168
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 8, 8, 8

James Hogg

James Hogg was a Scottish poet and novelist who wrote in both Scots and English. more…

All James Hogg poems | James Hogg Books

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