Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. IV. The Nineteenth Century: Wordsworth to Rossetti

Ebenezer Elliott (1781–1849)

The Three Marys at Castle Howard, in 1812 and 1837

THE LIFELESS son—the mother’s agony,

O’erstrained till agony refused to feel—

That sinner too I then dry-eyed could see;

For I was hardened in my selfish weal,

And strength and joy had strung my soul with steel.

I knew not then what man may live to be,

A thing of life, that feels he lives in vain—

A taper, to be quenched in misery!

Forgive me, then, Caracci! if I seek

To look on this, thy tale of tears, again;

For now the swift is slow, the strong is weak.

Mother of Christ! how merciful is pain!

But if I longer view thy tear-stained cheek,

Heart-broken Magdalen! my heart will break.