Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PROPHECY: 1. TO A LADY, by LUCRETIA MARIA DAVIDSON First Line: Let me gaze awhile on that marble brow Last Line: And think on my last sad prophecy. Subject(s): Grief; Prophecy & Prophets; Sorrow; Sadness | ||||||||
Let me gaze awhile on that marble brow, On that full, dark eye, on that check's warm glow; Let me gaze for a moment, that, ere I die, I may read thee, maiden, a prophecy. That brow may beam in glory awhile; That cheek may bloom, and that lip may smile; That full, dark eye may brightly beam In life's gay morn, in hope's young dream; But clouds shall darken that brow of snow, And sorrow blight thy bosom's glow. I know by that spirit so haughty and high, I know by that brightly-flashing eye, That, maiden, there's that within thy breast, Which hath marked thee out for a soul unblest: The strife of love, with pride shall wring Thy youthful bosom's tenderest string; And the cup of sorrow, mingled for thee, Shall be drained to the dregs in agony. Yes, maiden, yes, I read in thine eye, A dark, and a doubtful prophecy. Thou shalt love, and that love shall be thy curse; Thou wilt need no heavier, thou shalt feel no worse. I see the cloud and the tempest near; The voice of the troubled tide I hear; The torrent of sorrow, the sea of grief, The rushing waves of a wretched life; Thy bosom's bark on the surge I see, And, maiden, thy loved one is there with thee. Not a star in the heavens, not a light on the wave! Maiden, I've gazed on thine early grave. When I am cold, and the hand of Death Hath crowned my brow with an icy wreath; When the dew hangs damp on this motionless lip; When this eye is closed in its long, last sleep, Then, maiden, pause, when thy heart beats high, And think on my last sad prophecy. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONOMA FIRE by JANE HIRSHFIELD AS THE SPARKS FLY UPWARDS by JOHN HOLLANDER WHAT GREAT GRIEF HAS MADE THE EMPRESS MUTE by JUNE JORDAN CHAMBER MUSIC: 19 by JAMES JOYCE DIRGE AT THE END OF THE WOODS by LEONIE ADAMS A DREAM by LUCRETIA MARIA DAVIDSON |
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