Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DEATH, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: We are as maidens one and all Last Line: A quiet household life. Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour Subject(s): Death; Marriage; Dead, The; Weddings; Husbands; Wives | ||||||||
WE are as maidens one and all, In some shut convent place, Pleased with the flowers, the service bells, The cloister's shady grace, That whiles, with fearful, fluttering hearts, Look outward thro' the grate And down the long white road, up which, Some morning, soon or late, Shall canter on his great grey horse That splendid acred Lord Who comes to lead us forth -- his wife, But half with our accord. With fearful, fluttered hearts we wait -- We meet him, bathed in tears; We are so loath to leave behind Those tranquil convent years; So loath to meet the pang, to take (On some poor chance of bliss) Life's labour on the windy sea For a bower as still as this. Weeping, we mount the crowded aisle, And weeping after us The bridesmaids follow -- Come to me! I will not meet you thus, Pale rider to the convent gate. Come, O rough bridegroom, Death, Where, bashful bride, I wait you, veiled, Flush-faced, with shaken breath; I do not fear your kiss. I dream New days, secure from strife, And, bride-like, in the future hope -- A quiet household life. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BLESSING FOR A WEDDING by JANE HIRSHFIELD A SUITE FOR MARRIAGE by DAVID IGNATOW ADVICE TO HER SON ON MARRIAGE by MARY BARBER THE RABBI'S SON-IN-LAW by SABINE BARING-GOULD KISSING AGAIN by DORIANNE LAUX A TIME PAST by DENISE LEVERTOV A GOOD PLAY by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON |
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