Themes:
* Mortality and the Fear of Death: The poem begins with the speaker facing the prospect of death, acknowledging her own mortality. She expresses fear and anxiety about leaving her loved ones and the world behind.
* Faith and Trust in God: Despite her fear, the speaker demonstrates a strong faith in God. She trusts in God's will and believes in the afterlife. Her faith offers her solace and a sense of peace.
* The Human Experience of Illness: The poem explores the physical and emotional realities of being sick. It conveys the speaker's weakness, pain, and vulnerability.
* The Value of Life and Relationships: Through the poem's contemplation of death, the speaker reflects on the importance of earthly life and her relationships with loved ones.
Key Lines and Their Meanings:
* "My God, my life, my everlasting hope, / I see my days like to the shades of night..." (Lines 1-2): These lines establish the speaker's deep faith and her sense of mortality. She sees her life fading away.
* "My soul, with trembling, doth behold and see, / That death, with his cold hand, doth beckon me" (Lines 5-6): Here, the speaker directly confronts the fear of death and its inevitable arrival.
* "But ah, my God, if thou wilt let me live, / And make me thine, that I may thee receive..." (Lines 17-18): Despite her fear, the speaker expresses a desire to live, but only if it means becoming closer to God.
* "And, when I’m gone, my children, to the grave, / Then leave me not, but follow me to heaven" (Lines 25-26): This line expresses the speaker's love for her children and her hope that they will join her in the afterlife.
Overall Meaning:
"Upon a Fit of Sickness" is not simply a poem about illness. It is a profound meditation on the human condition, grappling with questions of life, death, and faith. It offers a glimpse into the speaker's vulnerability, her trust in God, and her love for her family. The poem suggests that facing mortality can bring a deeper appreciation for life and strengthen one's connection to faith.