Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy
-- Speaker (Line 1)

Importance: This is the first line of the poem, establishing that the speaker is addressing his late son directly. It also contains an allusion to the biblical configuration of the Holy Trinity, in which Jesus sits at the "right hand" of God to denote his equal status.

Seven years tho' wert lent to me, and I thee pay, / Exacted by thy fate, on the just day.
-- Speaker (Lines 3 – 4)

Importance: Here, the speaker acknowledges his son's age at the time of his death—seven years old—and compares his son's life to a loan that he must repay. This metaphor is at once disconcerting and comforting, as it monetizes his beloved son but, at the same time, reminds the speaker that his son has returned to God.

O, could I lose all father now!
-- Speaker (Line 5)

Importance: In this exclamation, the speaker wishes to give up fatherhood altogether now...