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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


VISIT OF THE DEAD by EDGAR ALLAN POE

Poet Analysis

First Line: THY SOUL SHALL FIND ITSELF ALONE
Last Line: SECRECY IN THEE.
Subject(s): CEMETERIES; GRAVEYARDS;

Thy soul shall find itself alone --
Alone of all on earth -- unknown
The cause -- but none are near to pry
Into thine hour of secrecy.
Be silent in that solitude,
Which is not loneliness -- for then
The spirits of the dead, who stood
In life before thee, are again
In death around thee, and their will
Shall then o'ershadow thee -- be still:
For the night, tho' clear, shall frown:
And the stars shall look not down
From their thrones, in the dark heav'n;
With light like Hope to mortals giv'n,
But their red orbs, without beam,
To thy withering heart shall seem
As a burning, and a fever
Which would cling to thee forever.
But 'twill leave thee, as each star
In the morning light afar
Will fly thee -- and vanish:
-- But its @3thought@1 thou can'st not banish.
The breath of God will be still;
And the wisp upon the hill
By that summer breeze unbrok'n
Shall charm thee -- as a token,
And a symbol which shall be
Secrecy in thee.



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