Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SWAN SONG, by FLORA ELIZABETH HASTINGS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SWAN SONG, by                    
First Line: Grieve not that I die young - is it not well
Last Line: Let me depart!
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The


Grieve not that I die young. -- Is it not well
To pass away ere life hath lost its brightness?
Bind me no longer, sisters, with the spell
Of love and your kind words. List ye to me:
Here I am bless'd -- but I would be more free;
I would go forth in all my spirit's lightness.
Let me depart!

Ah! who would linger till bright eyes grow dim,
Kind voices mute, and faithful bosoms cold?
Till carking care, and coil, and anguish grim,
Cast their dark shadows o'er this faery world;
Till fancy's many-colour'd wings are furl'd,
And all, save the proud spirit, waxeth old?
I would depart!

Thus would I pass away -- yielding my soul
A joyous thank-offering to Him who gave
That soul to be, those starry orbs to roll.
Thus -- thus exultingly would I depart,
Song on my lips, ecstacy in my heart.
Sisters -- sweet sisters, bear me to my grave --
Let me depart!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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