THOU didst not sink by slow decay, Like some who live the longest; But every tie was wrench'd away, Just when those ties were strongest. A lot like thine may justly make The sanguine doubt @3to-morrow:@1 And, in the hearts of others, wake Alternate fear and sorrow. Well may we @3fear;@1 for who can think On thee, so lately living, Loving and lov'd, and yet not shrink With somewhat of misgiving? Well may we @3mourn;@1 for cold indeed, As thou, since death has found thee, Must be the heart that does not bleed For thee, and those around thee. A Daughter, Mother, Sister, Wife! At noon, Life smil'd before thee: The night brought nature's mortal strife, The day—Death's conquest o'er thee. How much was done in hours so few! Hopes wither'd, hearts divided: Joys, griefs, loves, fears, and feelings too, Stern Death at once decided. With Thee 'tis over! There are some, Who, in mute consternation, Fearfully shrink from hours to come Of heartfelt desolation. While the dark tempest's terrors @3last,@1 We @3guess@1 at evils round us; The clouds disperse, we stand aghast; Its ravages confound us. The thunder's roar, the lightning's gleam Might seem a @3vision@1 only; But when we @3know@1 we @3do not dream,@1 The stillness? oh, how lonely! One hope in such an hour is left, And may this hour reveal it; HE, who hath thus of bliss bereft The heart, has power to heal it. Our dearest hopes He would not crush, And pass unheeded by them; Nor bid our eyes with sorrows gush, Unless his Love could dry them. A bruised reed He will not break: But hearts that bow before Him, Shall own his Mercy while they ache, And gratefully adore Him! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WASTE LAND (1-5, COMPLETE) by THOMAS STEARNS ELIOT ON MONSIEUR'S DEPARTURE by ELIZABETH I THE BELLE OF THE BALL by WINTHROP MACKWORTH PRAED THE BREAKING by MARGARET STEELE ANDERSON THE CLOUDS: THE OLD EDUCATION by ARISTOPHANES THE STWONEN STEPS by WILLIAM BARNES |