Saturday, January 16, 2010

The Headache

"The Headache," Jane Cave Winscom

Not one short month for Ten revolving years,
But pain within my frame its sceptre rears!
In each successive month full twelve long days
And tedious nights my sun withdraws his rays!
Leaves me in silent anguish on my bed,
Afflicting all the members in the head;
Through ev’ry particle the torture flies,
But centres in the temples, brain, and eyes;
The efforts of the hands and feet are vain,
While bows the head with agonizing pain;
While heaves the breast with th’ unutterable sigh,
And the big tear drops from the languid eye.

(152–5, lines 13–24, Winscom’s italics)

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