Lines by Mary Baker Eddy (1883)

Name: Lines
Author: Mary Baker Eddy

The work explores themes of suffering, solace, and the contrast between despair and hope. It begins with an invitation to find comfort in a nurturing presence, likening the reader to a wounded deer seeking refuge. The imagery of a harsh environment, where nature is unwelcoming and life is filled with pain, sets a tone of desolation. The text reflects on the abandonment felt when one is left to navigate life's challenges alone, emphasizing the longing for a return to a more harmonious state. The mention of music and enchantment suggests a yearning for joy and beauty amidst suffering. The idea that shadows exist alongside light reinforces the duality of existence, where pain and pleasure coexist. Ultimately, the work posits that true victory lies not in superficial accolades but in a deeper understanding of life’s complexities. It suggests that without a heart to appreciate the nuances of glory and fame, these concepts remain hollow. The piece concludes with a sense of resilience, hinting at the possibility of overcoming adversity through inner strength and connection to a greater source of comfort.

By Mary Baker Eddy · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Spiritual, Romanticism · 276 words

First lines

Come, rest in this bosom, my own stricken deer. -- _Moore._

Was that fold for the lambkin soft virtue's repose, Where the weary and earth-stricken lay down their woes, -- When the fountain and leaflet are frozen and sere, And the mountains more friendless, -- their home is not here?

When the herd had forsaken, and left them to stray From the green sunny slopes of the woodland away; Where the music of waters had fled to the sea, And this life but one given to suffer and be?

Was it then thou didst call them to banish all pain, And the harpstring, just breaking, reecho again To a strain of enchantment that flowed as the wave, Where they waited to welcome the murmur it gave?

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Lines is listed on Textopian as a poem by Mary Baker Eddy, dated 1883 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Mary Baker Eddy
Date: 1883 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Spiritual, Romanticism, Philosophical, Literary Fiction
Length: 276 words
Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on themes of suffering, solace, and nature.
Spiritual — The text explores themes of inner peace and transcendence, reflecting a spiritual journey and philosophical contemplation.
Romanticism — The emotional depth and connection to nature align with Romantic ideals, emphasizing individual experience and emotion.
Philosophical — The work poses existential questions and reflects on the nature of suffering and existence, characteristic of philosophical literature.