There is a Languor of the Life 1
More imminent than Pain－
'Tis Pain's Successor－When the Soul
Has suffered all it can－
A Drowsiness－diffuses－5
A Dimness like a Fog
Envelops Consciousness－
As Mists－obliterate a Crag.
The Surgeon－does not blanch－at pain 9
His Habit－is severe－
But tell him that it ceased to feel－
The Creature lying there－
And he will tell you－skill is late－13
A Mightier than He－
Has ministered before Him－
There's no Vitality.
More imminent than Pain－
'Tis Pain's Successor－When the Soul
Has suffered all it can－
A Drowsiness－diffuses－5
A Dimness like a Fog
Envelops Consciousness－
As Mists－obliterate a Crag.
The Surgeon－does not blanch－at pain 9
His Habit－is severe－
But tell him that it ceased to feel－
The Creature lying there－
And he will tell you－skill is late－13
A Mightier than He－
Has ministered before Him－
There's no Vitality.
(F.552/J.396)
[1] Languor, the Life:: a withering mother in delivering her baby.
[2] More, Pain:: more than physical pain, since she knows the baby will die.
[3] Successor:: a hint on the baby.
[5–8] Drowsiness, Crag:: the mother under anesthesia.
[9] Surgeon:: one who delivers the baby.
[10] Habit is severe:: a suspicious line, most likely, the surgeon's severe habit is to kill the baby right after the delivery.
[12] Creature:: the baby.
[13] he will tell you:: it seems Dickinson knew already what the surgeon will tell, an execuse.
[16] no Vitality:: the baby dies.
When doctors differ it is no doubt difficult for the public to decide; and the widely-differing extent to which the practice of anaesthesia during childbirth is earned in different places is a striking instance of how greatly the public is influenced and led by the counsels, and, perhaps, by the prejudices, of its physicians. ─ The Westminster Review (1859)