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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


C_______'S LAMENT by HERMAN MELVILLE

Poet Analysis

First Line: HOW LOVELY WAS THE LIGHT OF HEAVEN
Last Line: O, LAY IT AT HIS HEAD -- A STONE!
Subject(s): COLERIDGE, SAMUEL TAYLOR (1772-1834); POETRY & POETS;

How lovely was the light of heaven,
What angels leaned from out the sky
In years when youth was more than wine
And man and nature seemed divine
Ere yet I felt that youth must die.

Ere yet I felt that youth must die
How insubstantial looked the earth,
Alladin-land! in each advance,
Or here or there, a new romance;
I never dreamed would come a dearth.

And nothing then but had its worth,
Even pain. Yes, pleasure still and pain
In quick reaction made of life
A lovers' quarrel, happy strife
In youth that never comes again.

But will youth never come again?
Even to his grave-bed has he gone,
And left me lone to wake by night
With heavy heart that erst was light?
O, lay it at his head -- a stone!



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