Taylor, Edward. "Upon Wedlock, and Death of Children".

Summary and Analysis

A devotional poem, at the same time an intimate confession of a parent on a painful subject.

The speaker admires the knot (i.e. a flower bed) which God made in paradise. He freely proceeds to talking about the wedding knot (i.e. tie) which can never be untied. He describes the flowers which are planted in the knot. Then he gives an account of his own offspring: His first son lived to maturity, but the second born daughter died after a year. His third born son lived to maturity, but his fourth born daughter died after a year.

The speaker, though mourning the loss of his daughters, is proud that God chose to plant the flower of his in his garden. He addresses Lord and asks him to take as He wishes because it is His choice and it is not his children primarily, but children given by God. Also by choosing his children, a part of God's glory will touch the speaker himself.