Felicia Hemans in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine Volume 33 1833/The Reply of the Shunamite Woman

by Felicia Hemans

For other versions of this work, see Female Characters of Scripture. VI. The Reply of the Shunamite Woman.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 33, Page 594

THE REPLY OF THE SHUNAMITE WOMAN.

"And she answered, I dwell among mine own people."— 2 Kings, iv. 13.

"I dwell among mine own,"—Oh! happy thou!
        Not for the sunny clusters of the vine,
Nor for the olives on the mountain's brow;
        Nor the flocks wandering by the flowery line
        Of streams, that make the green land where they shine
Laugh to the light of waters:—not for these,
Nor the soft shadow of ancestral trees,
        Whose kindly whisper floats o'er thee and thine;
Oh! not for these I call thee richly blest,
But for the meekness of thy woman's breast,
        Where that sweet depth of still contentment lies:
    And for thy holy household love, which clings
    Unto all ancient and familiar things,

Weaving from each some link for Home's clear Charities.