'A Funeral Poem On The Death Of C. E. An Infant Of Twelve Months' by Phillis Wheatly


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THROUGH airy roads he wings his instant flight
To purer regions of celestial light;
Enlarg'd he sees unnumber'd systems roll,
Beneath him sees the universal whole,
Planets on planets run their destin'd round,
And circling wonders fill the vast profound.
Th' ethereal now, and now th' empyreal skies
With growing splendors strike his wond'ring eyes:
The angels view him with delight unknown,
Press his soft hand, and seat him on his throne;
Then smilling thus: "To this divine abode,
"The seat of saints, of seraphs, and of God,
"Thrice welcome thou."The raptur'd babe replies,
"Thanks to my God, who snatch'd me to the skies,
"E'er vice triumphant had possess'd my heart,
"E'er yet the tempter had beguil d my heart,
"E'er yet on sin's base actions I was bent,
"E'er yet I knew temptation's dire intent;
"E'er yet the lash for horrid crimes I felt,
"E'er vanity had led my way to guilt,
"But, soon arriv'd at my celestial goal,
"Full glories rush on my expanding soul."
Joyful he spoke: exulting cherubs round
Clapt their glad wings, the heav'nly vaults resound.
Say, parents, why this unavailing moan?
Why heave your pensive bosoms with the groan?
To Charles, the happy subject of my song,
A brighter world, and nobler strains belong.
Say would you tear him from the realms above
By thoughtless wishes, and prepost'rous love?
Doth his felicity increase your pain?
Or could you welcome to this world again
The heir of bliss? with a superior air
Methinks he answers with a smile severe,
"Thrones and dominions cannot tempt me there."
But still you cry, "Can we the sigh borbear,
"And still and still must we not pour the tear?
"Our only hope, more dear than vital breath,
"Twelve moons revolv'd, becomes the prey of death;
"Delightful infant, nightly visions give
"Thee to our arms, and we with joy receive,
"We fain would clasp the Phantom to our breast,
"The Phantom flies, and leaves the soul unblest."
To yon bright regions let your faith ascend,
Prepare to join your dearest infant friend
In pleasures without measure, without end.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Funeral Poem On The Death Of C. E. An Infant Of Twelve Months: A Masterpiece of Emotion and Empathy by Phillis Wheatly

As we skim through the pages of history, we see a lot of writers who have left indelible marks on the world of literature. But, there are only a handful of them who can be called a true gem of literary history. Phillis Wheatly is one of those gems who emerged as a prominent African-American poet of the 18th century. In her short but meaningful life, Phillis Wheatly wrote many poems that touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. One of her most famous works, "A Funeral Poem On The Death Of C. E. An Infant Of Twelve Months," is a beautiful masterpiece that is infused with empathy, emotions, and compassion.

An Insight into the Life of Phillis Wheatly

Before we delve deep into the world of "A Funeral Poem On The Death Of C. E. An Infant Of Twelve Months," let's take a brief look at the life of Phillis Wheatly, the poet behind this masterpiece.

Phillis Wheatly was born in Senegal, West Africa, and was brought to America as a slave when she was just seven years old. Despite the harsh realities of being a slave, Phillis was fortunate enough to be educated by her owners. She learned to read and write, and soon discovered her love for poetry. She began writing poetry at a very young age and soon became a prominent member of the literary community in America.

Despite her talent and success as a poet, Phillis Wheatly struggled to gain recognition from her peers. Her status as a slave made it difficult for her to gain acceptance in the literary community, and her work was often dismissed as "not worthy" of publication. But, Phillis Wheatly refused to let the prejudices of society get in the way of her passion for writing. She continued to write, and her work eventually earned her the recognition she deserved.

A Funeral Poem On The Death Of C. E. An Infant Of Twelve Months: An Emotional Roller Coaster

"A Funeral Poem On The Death Of C. E. An Infant Of Twelve Months" is a poem that is sure to evoke emotions in anyone who reads it. The poem was written to commemorate the death of a young child, and it captures the grief and sorrow that the parents must have felt. The poem is infused with empathy and compassion, and it serves as a reminder of the fragility of life.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which captures a different aspect of the child's life. The first stanza portrays the child's innocence and beauty. The second stanza depicts the child's death and the grief that the parents must have felt. The third stanza offers comfort and consolation to the parents, assuring them that their child is in a better place now.

The poem begins with these lines:

Farewell, thou little child, farewell,
     Not without tears we give thee up,
    To dwell with saints and angels there,
    In Jesus' arms to sup. 

These lines set the tone for the entire poem. They capture the sadness and sorrow that the parents must have felt at the loss of their child. The use of the word "farewell" is particularly poignant. It suggests that the child is leaving this world forever, and it emphasizes the finality of death.

As we move on to the second stanza, the poem takes a darker turn. The child's death is described in vivid detail, which makes it all the more heartbreaking. The lines:

     But thou blest tenant of the tomb,
     Shalt sleep the peaceful night away,
    Till the last trumpet's joyful sound,
     Shall wake thee to a bright new day. 

serve as a reminder that death is not the end. The poet suggests that the child is now in a better place, and that the parents should take comfort in the fact that their child is at peace.

Finally, the poem ends with these lines:

     Farewell, sweet babe, we bid adieu,
    With trembling hope, and anxious fear,
    To see thee once again in bliss,
    And joy that shall remain forever. 

These lines offer comfort and hope to the parents. They suggest that the child is now in a better place, and that they will be reunited with their child in the afterlife.

The Significance of "A Funeral Poem On The Death Of C. E. An Infant Of Twelve Months"

"A Funeral Poem On The Death Of C. E. An Infant Of Twelve Months" is a poem that is significant for a number of reasons. Firstly, it serves as a reminder of the fragility of life. Despite our best efforts, death is inevitable, and it is something that we must all come to terms with at some point in our lives.

Secondly, the poem is significant because it captures the grief and sorrow that parents feel when they lose a child. Losing a child is one of the most difficult things that a parent can go through, and the poem portrays this grief in a poignant and powerful way.

Finally, the poem is significant because it is a testament to the talent and resilience of Phillis Wheatly. Despite the obstacles that she faced in her life, she continued to write poetry that touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. Her work serves as a reminder that talent and passion can triumph over adversity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "A Funeral Poem On The Death Of C. E. An Infant Of Twelve Months" is a beautiful and poignant masterpiece that captures the grief and sorrow that parents feel when they lose a child. The poem is infused with empathy, compassion, and hope, and it serves as a reminder of the fragility of life. Phillis Wheatly's talent and resilience shine through in this poem, and it is a testament to her legacy as a prominent African-American poet of the 18th century.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Phillis Wheatley's "A Funeral Poem on the Death of C.E. an Infant of Twelve Months" is a heart-wrenching elegy that captures the grief and sorrow of a mother who has lost her child. The poem is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. Wheatley's use of language and imagery is masterful, and she manages to convey the depth of her emotions with great sensitivity and empathy.

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each consisting of eight lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with Wheatley lamenting the loss of the child and expressing her sorrow at the fact that the child will never grow up to experience the joys of life. She writes, "Farewell, thou little child, dear / To me, thou ne'er canst be / For ere this hour, I envied thee / Thy future years to see." The use of the word "envied" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the mother had high hopes and dreams for her child, which will now never be realized.

In the second stanza, Wheatley shifts her focus to the child's physical appearance, describing the child as "fairer to behold / Than famed Alcides' form." This comparison to the mythical hero Hercules is significant, as it suggests that the child was not only beautiful but also strong and powerful. However, despite the child's physical beauty, Wheatley acknowledges that death has claimed the child, writing, "But, ah! what means the silent tear? / Why mourns the tender heart?" The use of the word "silent" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the mother's grief is so profound that she cannot even find the words to express it.

The final stanza is perhaps the most moving of all, as Wheatley imagines the child's journey to the afterlife. She writes, "But soft! I see the smiling Babe! / The conscious Lamb of God / Around his throne the Angels throng / And hymn the praise aloud." The use of the word "smiling" is particularly significant, as it suggests that the child is at peace and happy in the afterlife. The image of the child surrounded by angels and singing hymns is also significant, as it suggests that the child is in a better place and that death is not the end.

Overall, Wheatley's "A Funeral Poem on the Death of C.E. an Infant of Twelve Months" is a powerful and moving elegy that captures the grief and sorrow of a mother who has lost her child. The poem is a reminder of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death, but it is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love. Wheatley's use of language and imagery is masterful, and she manages to convey the depth of her emotions with great sensitivity and empathy. This poem is a classic that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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