Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A SOLILOQUY WRITTEN IN A COUNTRY CHURCHYARD, by JAMES FORDYCE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SOLILOQUY WRITTEN IN A COUNTRY CHURCHYARD, by                    
First Line: Struck with religious awe and solemn dread
Last Line: What we must shortly be—and you are now.
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The


Struck with religious awe and solemn dread,
I view these gloomy mansions of the dead.
Around me tombs in mixed disorder rise,
And in mute language teach me to be wise.
Time was, these ashes lived—a time must be
When others thus may stand—and look at me.
Alarming thought! no wonder 'tis we dread
O'er these uncomfortable vaults to tread.

Perhaps that skull, so horrible to view,
Was some fair maid's, ye belles, as fair as you:
These hollow sockets two bright orbs contained,
Where the loves sported, and in triumph reigned;
Here glowed the lips; there white as Parian stone,
The teeth, disposed in beauteous order shone.
This is life's goal—no farther can we view;
Beyond it all is wonderful and new.
Oh, deign! some courteous ghost, to let us know,
What we must shortly be—and you are now.





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