Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AN ELEGY ON A MAIDEN NAME, by JANE CAVE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AN ELEGY ON A MAIDEN NAME, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Adieu, dear name which birth and nature gave
Last Line: Each find in each a just, unshaken friend.
Alternate Author Name(s): Winscom, Mrs.
Subject(s): Marriage; Names; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


ADIEU, dear name which birth and nature gave --
Lo! at the altar I've interred dear CAVE;
For there it fell, expired, and found a grave.

Forgive, dear spouse, this ill-timed tear or two,
They are not meant in disrespect to you;
I hope the name which you have lately given
Was kindly meant and sent to me by heaven.
But ah! the loss of CAVE I must deplore,
For that dear name the tend'rest mother bore.
With that she passed full forty years of life,
Adorned th' important character of wife:
Then meet for bliss from earth to heaven retired,
With holy zeal and true devotion fired.

In me what blessed my father may you find,
A wife domestic, virtuous, meek and kind.
What blessed my mother may I meet in you,
A friend and husband -- faithful, wise, and true.

Then be our voyage prosperous or adverse,
No keen upbraiding shall our tongues rehearse;
But mutually we'll brave against the storm,
Remembering still for helpmates we were born.
Then let rough torrents roar or skies look dark,
If love commands the helm which guides our bark,
No shipwreck will we fear, but to the end
Each find in each a just, unshaken friend.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net