Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE VIGIL OF RIZPAH, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE VIGIL OF RIZPAH, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Who watches on the mountain with the dead
Last Line: The unconquerable angel, mightiest love!
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Rizpah (bible); Women In The Bible


And Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, took sackcloth, and spread it
for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water
dropped upon them out of heaven; and suffered neither the birds
of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
-- 2 SAM. 21. 10.

Who watches on the mountain with the dead,
Alone before the awfulness of night? --
A seer awaiting the deep spirit's might?
A warrior guarding some dark pass of dread?
No, a lorn woman! -- On her drooping head,
Once proudly graceful, heavy beats the rain;
She recks not -- living for the unburied slain,
Only to scare the vulture from their bed.
So, night by night, her vigil hath she kept
With the pale stars, and with the dews hath wept; --
Oh! surely some bright Presence from above
On those wild rocks the lonely one must aid! --
E'en so; a strengthener through all storm and shade,
The unconquerable Angel, mightiest Love!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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