To a River in Which a Child Was Drowned
The poem reflects on the juxtaposition of the river's serene beauty and the tragic event of a child's drowning. The river, described as smiling and playful, conceals a darker reality beneath its surface. The imagery of sunbeams and the gentle flow contrasts sharply with the grim fate of the child, Edward, whose body lies submerged and forgotten in the riverbed. The poem explores themes of innocence lost and the deceptive nature of appearances, as the river, while seemingly benign, harbors death within its depths. The speaker grapples with the river's duality—its ability to both nurture and destroy. The child's remains, described as whitening bones, serve as a haunting reminder of the river's capacity for violence. The poem critiques the indifference of nature, suggesting that the river, despite its beauty, is complicit in the tragedy. The final lines emphasize the irony of the river's role; it both took the child's life and now washes over the remains, highlighting the relentless cycle of life and death. The work ultimately evokes a sense of mourning and reflection on the fragility of life, urging readers to consider the hidden dangers that lie beneath the surface of seemingly tranquil settings.
By Charles Lamb · First published 1807 · Genre: Poetry, Tragedy, Historical · 150 words
First lines
Smiling river, smiling river, On thy bosom sunbeams play; Though they're fleeting, and retreating, Thou hast more deceit than they.
In thy channel, in thy channel, Choked with ooze and gravelly stones, Deep immersed, and unhearsed, Lies young Edward's corse; his bones
Ever whitening, ever whitening, As thy waves against them dash; What thy torrent, in the current, Swallow'd, now it helps to wash.
As if senseless, as if senseless Things had feeling in this case; What so blindly and unkindly It destroy'd, it now does grace.
What this Textopian page supports
To a River in Which a Child Was Drowned is listed on Textopian as a poem by Charles Lamb, dated 1807 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Charles Lamb
- Date: 1807 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Tragedy, Historical, Drama
- Length: 150 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- A Farewell To C E G by Charles Kingsley
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Genres
- Poetry — Charles Lamb was a respected English essayist and poet in the 19th century. 'To a River in Which a Child Was Drowned' is one of his known poems, hence the genre is Poetry.
- Tragedy — The title suggests a tragic event involving the death of a child which classifies the genre as Tragedy.
- Historical — Lamb's works often reflect the social and cultural aspects of England during the Romantic period. This poetry may contain elements that historical genre usually carries.
- Drama — Given the intensity described in the title itself, it can be categorized under Drama due to the possible dramatic elements it uses to convey emotional depth.
Tags
tragedy · loss · childhood · grief · memory · nature · river · innocence · death · reflection · nostalgia · sorrow