Janet Hamilton is one of those old poets whose work I have just begun to explore. She lived and died during an era when devotional poetry was important to Christians and I have found her poems quite enjoyable. Here is one that reflects on the beauty of a mother’s love for her child.
Dear child! a faithful mother’s love
For thee will toil, and watch, and pray;
An angel hovering still above
Thy couch by night, thy steps by day.Oh think how oft thy lips have pressed
Her breast! how oft thine arms have clung
Around her neck, while to her heart
She clasped thee close, and sweetly sung!When fever’s burning flush suffused
Thy cheek, and heaved thy panting chest,
Thou rest or refuge all refused
Save mother’s arms and mother’s breast.And she would sit with tangled hair,
With haggard cheek and heavy eyes,
Tend all thy wants with loving care,
And soothe thy pains and hush thy cries.And she would whisper in thy ear,
And press upon thy infant mind
The name, the love of Jesus dear,
And God, thy Father good and kind.The pouting lip, the pert reply,
The sullen brow, the stubborn will,
Will dim with tears thy mother’s eye,
And her fond heart with anguish fill.The smiling lip, the ready yes,
The sunny brow of cheerful love;
What balm for mother’s heart like this?
What dearer blessing can she prove?Is she a widow? doubly dear
Be she to thee; when griefs assail,
Kiss thou away each mournful tear
That wanders down her cheek so pale.A faithful God, the first, the best—
The next a faithful mother’s love;
Thou shalt, dear child, of these possessed,
Be safe on earth, and blest above.
