Children of my happier prime, <br />When One yet lived with me, and threw <br />Her rainbow over life and time, <br />Even Hope, my bride, and mother to you! <br />O, nurtured in sweet pastoral air, <br />And fed on flowers and light and dew <br />Of morning meadows -spare, ah, spare <br />Reproach; spare, and upbraid me not <br />That, yielding scarce to reckless mood, <br />But jealous of your future lot, <br />I sealed you in a fate subdued. <br />Have I not saved you from the dread <br />Theft, and ignoring which need be <br />The triumph of the insincere <br />Unanimous Mediocrity? <br />Rest, therefore, free from all despite, <br />Snugged in the arms of comfortable night.<br /><br />Herman Melville<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/immolated/
