In 1818, her husband departed for Rome, leaving her with five sons all under the age of six for her to raise on her own. They continued a correspondence, particularly relating to their boys, but it is unknown what caused the separation.
She became a literary celebrity, writing on such Romantic themes as nature, childhood, foreign travel, and heroic tales — and even drew the admiration of such older writers as William Wordsworth and Lord Byron. She was one of the best-selling poets of her time. Ironically, such popularity, her reputation for dealing with women’s domestic issues, and the use of many of her poems in school books, has worked against her continued legacy as a serious poet.
The following poem first appeared in her collection Hymns on the Works of Nature, for the Use of Children (1827).
The Sky-Lark
The Sky-lark, when the dews of morn
Hang tremulous on flower and thorn,
And violets round his nest exhale
Their fragrance on the early gale,
To the first sunbeam spreads his wings,
Buoyant with joy, and soars, and sings.
He rests not on the leafy spray,
To warble his exulting lay,
But high above the morning cloud
Mounts in triumphant freedom proud,
And swells, when nearest to the sky,
His notes of sweetest ecstacy.
Thus, my Creator! thus the more
My spirit's wing to Thee can soar,
The more she triumphs to behold
Thy love in all thy works unfold,
And bids her hymns of rapture be
Most glad, when rising most to Thee!
Entry written by D.S. Martin. He is the author of six poetry collections including Angelicus (2021, Poiema/Cascade), plus three anthologies — available through Wipf & Stock. His new book The Role of the Moon, inspired by the Metaphysical Poets, is now available from Paraclete Press.
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