"Cold is thy brow, my son, and I am chill As to my bosom I have tried to press thee! How I was wont to feel my pulses thrill, Like a rich harp-string, yearning to caress thee, And hear thy sweet '_My father!_' from these dumb And cold lips, Absalom! "But death is on thee. I shall hear the gush Of music, and the voices of the young; And life will pass me in the mantling blush, And the dark tresses to the soft winds flung-- But thou no more, with thy sweet voice, shalt come To meet me, Absalom! "And oh! when I am stricken, and my heart, Like a bruised reed, is waiting to be broken, How will its love for thee, as I depart, Yearn for thine ear to drink its last deep token! It were so sweet, amid death's gathering gloom, To see thee, Absalom! "And now, farewell! 'Tis hard to give thee up, With death so like a gentle slumber on thee; And thy dark sin! Oh, I could drink the cup, If from this woe its bitterness had won thee. May God have called thee, like a wanderer, home, My lost boy, Absalom!" He covered up his face, and bowed himself A moment on his child; then, giving him A look of melting tenderness, he clasped His hands convulsively, as if in prayer; And, as if strength were given him of God, He rose up calmly, and composed the pall Firmly and decently, and left him there, As if his rest had been a breathing sleep. HELPS TO STUDY. Nathaniel Parker Willis was born in Maine in 1806. He was a graduate of Yale and was an early contributor to various periodicals, including the "Youths' Companion," which magazine had been founded by his father. The selection here given is regarded as the poet's masterpiece. Historical: Absalom, the son of David, King of Israel, rebelled against his father. David sent his army to put down the rebellion, but said to his captains, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom." In spite of this entreaty, Absalom was slain by Joab, a captain in David's army. The first forty-one lines relate to events preceding the battle, the remainder to events following the battle. Read 2 Samuel XVIII. Notes and Questions. Find the Jordan on your map. Locate the Dead Sea; the wood of Ephraim where Absalom was killed. Describe the picture you see when you read the first stanza. What do we call such expressions as "Night's silvery veil"? What is night's silvery veil? "The willow leaves with a soft cheek upon the lulling tide, Forgot the lifting winds"--What does this mean? Why "lulling tide"? What flowers does the poet mean in the eighth line? Is the poet true to nature in what he says of them? Show why. Select two words or expressions that seem to you to be especially beautiful or fit, and tell why. Do you like the selection? Why? Words and Phrases for Discussion.