Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ELIZA DREW AND JAMES HANNEWAY by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE

Poet Analysis

First Line: HERE REST IN PEACE ELIZA DREW AND JAMES HANNEWAY
Last Line: THEY'LL NOT LAUGH LESS SWEETLY WHO LEARN TO LAUGH LAST.
Subject(s): EPITAPHS;

Here rest in peace Eliza Drew and James Hanneway
whom Death haplessly snatched from Felicity.
Eliza and James in this sepulchre tarry
Till God with His trumpet shall call them to marry.
Then Angels for maids to the Bride shall be given,
And loud their responses shall echo in Heaven.
And e'en though it be that on Paradise Plains
A wife is no wife; spinster spinster remains;
These twain they did tarry so long to be wed
They might now prefer to stay happy instead.
Howe'er it befall them, Death's shadows once past,
They'll not laugh less sweetly who learn to laugh last.



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