There she lay so still and pale, With her bridal robes around her: Joy is fleeting -- life is frail -- Death had found her. Gone for ever: gone away From the love and light of earth; Gone for ever: who shall say Where her second birth? Had her life been good and kind? Had her heart been meek and pure? Was she of a lowly mind, Ready to endure? Did she still console the sad, Soothe the widow's anguish wild, Make the poor and needy glad, Tend the orphan child? Who shall say what hope and fear Crowded in her short life's span? If the love of God was dear, Or the love of man? Happy bride if single-hearted Her first love to God was given; If from this world she departed But to dwell in Heaven; If her faith on Heaven was fixed, And her hope; if love's pure worth Made her rich indeed, unmixed With the dross of earth. But alas! if tainted pleasure Won her heart and held it here, Where is now her failing treasure, All her gladness where? ..... Hush, too curious questioner; Hush and think thine own sins o'er: Little canst thou learn from her; For we know no more Than that there she lies all pale With her bridal robes around her: Joy is fleeting -- life is frail -- Death hath found her. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EPISTLE TO WILLIAM SIMPSON OF OCHILTREE by ROBERT BURNS THE PARTY by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE FLOWERS OF THE FOREST by ALISON RUTHERFORD IO VICTIS by WILLIAM WETMORE STORY THE KNITTING by MARGARET BARBER DON QUIXOTE by CRAVEN LANGSTROTH BETTS |