Classic and Contemporary Poetry
FUTURITY, by LUCY AIKEN Poet's Biography First Line: Rise, spectres, rise! Some pitying ghost, appear Last Line: And spring to clasp her in the world unknown. Alternate Author Name(s): Aikin, Lucy Subject(s): Future Life; Retribution; Eternity; After Life | ||||||||
"Tell us, ye dead! will none of you in pity To those you left behind disclose the secret? O that some courteous ghost would blab it out!" BLAIR'S Grave. RISE, spectres, rise! some pitying ghost, appear, And pour the grave's dread secret on mine ear! Ye live, ye live! Yes, by the generous glow Of Virtue struggling thro' a night of woe; By the fell tyrant on his blood-stained throne; By nameless wretchedness that dies alone; By lovely Hope that soothes the parting sigh; By Faith, bright-beaming from the death-fixt eye, Ye live! From forth the narrow dark abode The spirit steals -- some viewless unknown road; -- Then, each fond tie to earth and matter broke By the free soul, disdainful of the yoke, Shall it not soar on vigorous pens away Beyond the ken of thought and golden eye of day? Or, by fierce flames from mortal dross refined, Shall it not mingle with the mass of mind? Absorbed and lost the old familiar store Of treasuring Memory's many-coloured lore. Or does this self, this conscious self, remain Awake to human joys, to human pain? Hangs the fond mother over her orphan's head? Cheers the fond spouse the widow's sorrowing bed? In airy watch do guardian spirits stand, And guide our faltering steps, an angel band? Or, senseless, wrapt in lone sepulchral gloom, Sleeps the regardless tenant of the tomb Till the dread blast shall rouse the silent earth, And joyful Nature start to second birth, All nations waken from the awful trance, And times and realms in wondering gaze advance, While Memory's voice renews its tuneful sound, And marshals all the tribes of earth around, Bids fresh reviving scenes salute their eyes, And friend with virtuous friend to lasting bliss arise? Cease, curious thoughts! too close the shades of night Veil the dread Future from our anxious sight; The boldest here may urge their course in vain, Nor pass one bulwark of the drear domain. Then, -- when the last faint panting heaves my heart, And weary Life stands fluttering to depart, -- One beam of joy shall warm my trembling soul As Doubt's dun clouds to awful distance roll; Truth's angel form my fleeting spirit own, And spring to clasp her in the world unknown. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IKON: THE HARROWING OF HELL by DENISE LEVERTOV LEEK STREET by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR UNABLE TO FIND by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR THE AFTERLIFE: LETTER TO STEPHEN DOBYNS 3 by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE AFTERLIFE: LETTER TO STEPHEN DOBYNS: 1 by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE AFTERLIFE: LETTER TO STEPHEN DOBYNS: 2 by HAYDEN CARRUTH WRITING IN THE AFTERLIFE by BILLY COLLINS DIRGE FOR THE LATE JAMES CURRIE, M.D., OF LIVERPOOL by LUCY AIKEN |
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