On Receiving a Letter Informing Me of the Birth of a Son

"On Receiving a Letter Informing Me of the Birth of a Son" is a poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge on 1 November 1796.

Original text
When they did greet me Father, sudden Awe Weigh'd down my spirit! I retired and knelt Seeking the throne of grace, but inly felt No heavenly visitation upwards draw My feeble mind, nor cheering ray impart. Ah me! before the Eternal Sire I brought The unquiet silence of confused Thought And shapeless feelings: my o'erwhelmed Heart Trembled: & vacant tears stream'd down my face. And now once more, O Lord! to thee I bend, Lover of souls! and groan for future grace, That, ere my Babe youth's perilous maze have trod, Thy overshadowing Spirit may descend And he be born again, a child of God!