THOSE charming eyes within whose starry sphere Love whilom sat, and smiled the hours away,— Those braids of light, that shamed the beams of day,— That hand benignant, and that heart sincere,— Those virgin cheeks, which did so late appear Like snow-banks scattered with the blooms of May, Turned to a little cold and worthless clay, Are gone, forever gone, and perished here,— But not unbathed by Memory's warmest tear! Death thou hast torn, in one unpitying hour, That fragrant plant, to which, while scarce a flower, The mellower fruitage of its prime was given; Love saw the deed,—and as he lingered near Sighed o'er the ruin, and returned to heaven! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: OAKS TUTT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SNOWFLAKES by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE SONG THAT SHALL ATONE by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE FOUR ZOAS: NIGHTS THE SEVENTH AND EIGHTH by WILLIAM BLAKE LOST BUT FOUND by HORATIO (HORATIUS) BONAR A HYMN OF TOUCH by GORDON BOTTOMLEY LES BARICADES MISTERIEUSES (AFTER FRANCOIS COUPERIN) by GORDON BOTTOMLEY |