Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HE NEVER SMILED AGAIN, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HE NEVER SMILED AGAIN, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The bark that held a prince went down
Last Line: He never smiled again!
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Grief; Henry I, King Of England (1068-1135); Sorrow; Sadness


THE bark that held a prince went down,
The sweeping waves rolled on;
And what was England's glorious crown
To him that wept a son?
He lived -- for life may long be borne
Ere sorrow break its chain;
Why comes not death to those who mourn?
He never smiled again!

There stood proud forms around his throne,
The stately and the brave;
But which could fill the place of one,
That one beneath the wave?
Before him passed the young and fair,
In pleasure's reckless train;
But seas dashed o'er his son's bright hair --
He never smiled again!
He sat where festal bowls went round,
He heard the minstrel sing,
He saw the tourney's victor crowned
Amidst the knightly ring:
A murmur of the restless deep
Was blent with every strain,
A voice of winds that would not sleep --
He never smiled again!

Hearts, in that time, closed o'er the trace
Of vows once fondly poured,
And strangers took the kinsman's place
At many a joyous board;
Graves, which true love had bathed with tears,
Were left to heaven's bright rain,
Fresh hopes were born for other years
He never smiled again!





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