THE DEAF AND DUMB BOY!
When smiles play around thee, why sad and forlorn,
Amid all the transports thy fellows enjoy;
In life's cheerful morning what prompts thee to mourn?—
Alas! he is SILENT—poor sad-fated BOY!
When nature is robed in her mantle of green,
And winter has fled with his vapours & snows,
Every bough has its vocalist gladd'ning the scene,
He naught of this soul-cheering melody knows!
His ear never welcom'd the music of sound,
His tongue never utter'd the wonders of thought,
His DUTIES and END wrapt in darkness profound,
Have ne'er to this child of misfortune been taught.
Perchance ere the period when heart-rending woes,
To a premature grave had a fond mother brought,
As maternal affection more fervidly glows,
When our path through existence with sorrows is fraught!
Life's gath'ring ills were dispell'd by her smiles,
For love an inaudible language can speak;
But bereft of that friend who all suffering beguiles,
The tear of affliction now traces his cheek.
His wants disregarded, his wishes unknown,
Yet generous bosoms with sympathy feel,
When they make his condition—a moment their own,
His eloquent, silent, resistless appeal.
Though drear be his prospects, we view with delight,
His sorrowing features now bright'ning with joy,
For Mercy descending in vesture of white,
Will solace the SPEECHLESS AND DESTITUTE BOY.
E.
TO THE EDITORS OF THE RURAL MAGAZINE.
The following is a copy of Verses which I took from a manuscript above forty years ago. I think them good, and as I have never seen them in any printed book, I infer they are very rarely to be met with.
From your friend and well-wisher,
May 8, 1820.C. E.