Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE UNKNOWN BELOVED, by JOHN HALL WHEELOCK


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE UNKNOWN BELOVED, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I dreamed I passed a doorway
Last Line: About a flowery wreath.
Variant Title(s): Ballad
Subject(s): Death; Love - Loss Of; Dead, The


I dreamed I passed a doorway
Where, for a sign of death,
White ribbons one was binding
About a flowery wreath.

What drew me so I know not,
But drawing near I said,
"Kind sir, and can you tell me
Who is it here lies dead?"

Said he, "Your most beloved
Died here this very day,
That had known twenty Aprils
Had she but lived till May."

Astonished I made answer,
"Good sir, how say you so!
Here have I no beloved,
This house I do not know."

Quoth he, "Who from the world's end
Was destined unto thee
Here lies, thy true beloved
Whom thou shalt never see."

I dreamed I passed a doorway
Where, for a sign of death,
White ribbons one was binding
About a flowery wreath.








Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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