The Mute's Lament
2022; Gallaudet University Press; Volume: 167; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1353/aad.2022.0013
ISSN1543-0375
Autores Tópico(s)Themes in Literature Analysis
ResumoThe Mute's Lament John Carlin I move—a silent exile on this earth;As in his dreary cell one doomed for life,My tongue is mute, and closed ear heedeth not;No gleam of hope this darken'd mind assuresThat the blest power of speech shall e'er be known.Murmuring gaily o'er their pebbly bedsThe limpid streamlets, as they onward flowThrough verdant meadows and responding woodlands,Vocal with merry tones—I hear them not.The linnet's dulcet tone; the robin's strain;The whippowil's; the lightsome mock-bird's cry,When merrily from branch to branch they skip,Flap their blithe wings, and o'er the tranquil airDiffuse their melodies—I hear them not.The touches—lyric of the lute divine,Obedient to the rise, the cadence soft,And the deep pause of maiden's pensive song,While swells her heart with love's elated life,Draw forth its mellow tones—I hear them not.Deep silence over all, and all seems lifeless;The orator's exciting strains the crowdEnraptur'd hear, while meteor-like his witIlluminates the dark abyss of mind—Alone, left in the dark—I hear them not.While solemn stillness reigns in sacred walls,Devotion high and awe profound prevail,The balmy words of God's own messengerExcite to love, and troubled spirits soothe—Religion's dew-drops bright—I feel them not.From wearied search through long and cheerless wayeFor faithless fortune, I, lorn, homeward turn;And must this thankless tongue refuse to breatheThe blest word "Mother," when that being dearI meet with steps elastic, full of joy,And all the fibres of this heart susceptiveThrob with our nature's strongest, purest love? [End Page 24] Oh, that this tongue must still forbear to singThe hymn sublime, in praise of God on high;Whilst solemnly the organ peals forth praises,Inspired and deep with sweetest harmony!Though sad and heavy is the fate I bear,And I may sometimes wail my solitude,Yet oh, how precious the endowments He,T'alleviate, hath lavished, and shall IThankless return his kindness by laments?O, Hope! How sweetly smileth Heavenly HopeOn the sad, drooping soul and trembling heart!Bright as the morning star when night recedes,His genial smile this longing soul assuresThat when it leaves this sphere replete with woes,For Paradise replete with purest joys,My ears shall be unsealed, and I shall hear;My tongue shall be unbound, and I shall speak,And happy with the angels sing forever! [End Page 25] Copyright © 2022 Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf
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