Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VERSES, OCCASIONED BY AN AFFECTING INSTANCE OF SUDDEN DEATH, by BERNARD BARTON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VERSES, OCCASIONED BY AN AFFECTING INSTANCE OF SUDDEN DEATH, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thou didst not sink by slow decay
Last Line: And gratefully adore him!
Alternate Author Name(s): Quaker Poet
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The


THOU didst not sink by slow decay,
Like some who live the longest;
But every tie was wrench'd away,
Just when those ties were strongest.

A lot like thine may justly make
The sanguine doubt to-morrow:
And, in the hearts of others, wake
Alternate fear and sorrow.

Well may we fear; for who can think
On thee, so lately living,
Loving and lov'd, and yet not shrink
With somewhat of misgiving?

Well may we mourn; for cold indeed,
As thou, since death has found thee,
Must be the heart that does not bleed
For thee, and those around thee.

A Daughter, Mother, Sister, Wife!
At noon, Life smil'd before thee:
The night brought nature's mortal strife,
The day—Death's conquest o'er thee.

How much was done in hours so few!
Hopes wither'd, hearts divided:
Joys, griefs, loves, fears, and feelings too,
Stern Death at once decided.

With Thee 'tis over! There are some,
Who, in mute consternation,
Fearfully shrink from hours to come
Of heartfelt desolation.

While the dark tempest's terrors last,
We guess at evils round us;
The clouds disperse, we stand aghast;
Its ravages confound us.

The thunder's roar, the lightning's gleam
Might seem a vision only;
But when we know we do not dream,
The stillness? oh, how lonely!

One hope in such an hour is left,
And may this hour reveal it;
HE, who hath thus of bliss bereft
The heart, has power to heal it.

Our dearest hopes He would not crush,
And pass unheeded by them;
Nor bid our eyes with sorrows gush,
Unless his Love could dry them.

A bruised reed He will not break:
But hearts that bow before Him,
Shall own his Mercy while they ache,
And gratefully adore Him!





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