Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE NAMELESS GRAVE, by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: A nameless grave - there is no stone Last Line: And such a nameless grave! Alternate Author Name(s): L. E. L.; Maclean, Letitia Subject(s): Graves; Tombs; Tombstones | ||||||||
A NAMELESS grave, -- there is no stone To sanctify the dead: O'er it the willow droops alone, With only wild flowers spread. "Oh, there is nought to interest here, No record of a name, A trumpet call upon the ear, High on the roll of fame. "I will not pause beside a tomb Where nothing calls to mind Aught that can brighten mortal gloom, Or elevate mankind; -- "No glorious memory to efface The stain of meaner clay; No intellect whose heavenly trace Redeem'd our earth: -- away!" Ah, these are thoughts that well may rise On youth's ambitious pride; But I will sit and moralise This lowly stone beside. Here thousands might have slept, whose name Had been to thee a spell, To light thy flashing eyes with flame, -- To bid thy young heart swell. Here might have been a warrior's rest, Some chief who bravely bled, With waving banner, sculptured crest, And laurel on his head. That laurel must have had its blood, That blood have caused its tear; -- Look on the lovely solitude, -- What! wish for warfare here! A poet might have slept, -- what! he Whose restless heart first wakes Its life-pulse into melody, Then o'er it pines and breaks? -- He who hath sung of passionate love, His life a feverish tale: -- Oh! not the nightingale, the dove Would suit this quiet vale. See, I have named your favourite too, -- Each had been glad to crave Rest 'neath this turf's unbroken dew, And such a nameless grave! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SURVIVOR AMONG GRAVES by RANDALL JARRELL SUBJECTED EARTH by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE GRAVE OF MRS. HEMANS by CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER THOSE GRAVES IN ROME by LARRY LEVIS NOT TO BE DWELLED ON by HEATHER MCHUGH ONE LAST DRAW OF THE PIPE by PAUL MULDOON ETRUSCAN TOMB by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS ENDING WITH A LINE FROM LEAR by MARVIN BELL CALYPSO WATCHING THE OCEAN by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON |
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