THEY waked me from my sleep, I knew not why, And bade me hasten where a midnight lamp Gleamed from an inner chamber. There she lay, With brow so pale, who yester-morn breathed forth Through joyous smiles her superflux of bliss Into the hearts of others. By her side Her hoary sire, with speechless sorrow, gazed Upon the stricken idol,—all dismayed Beneath his God's rebuke. And she who nursed That fair young creature at her gentle breast, And oft those sunny locks had decked with buds Of rose and jasmine, shuddering wiped the dews Which death distills. The sufferer just had given Her long farewell, and for the last, @3last@1 time Touched with cold lips his cheek who led so late Her footsteps to the altar, and received In the deep transport of an ardent heart Her vow of love. And she had striven to press That golden circlet with her bloodless hand Back on his finger, which he kneeling gave At the bright bridal morn. So there she lay In calm endurance, like the smitten lamb Wounded in flowery pastures, from whose breast The dreaded bitterness of death had passed. —But a faint wail disturbed the silent scene, And in its nurse's arms a new-born babe Was borne in utter helplessness along, Before that dying eye. Its gathered film Kindled one moment with a sudden glow Of tearless agony,—and fearful pangs, Racking the rigid features, told how strong A mother's love doth root itself. One cry Of bitter anguish, blent with fervent prayer, Went up to Heaven,—and, as its cadence sank, Her spirit entered there. Morn after morn Rose and retired; yet still as in a dream I seemed to move. The certainty of loss Fell not @3at once@1 upon me. Then I wept As weep the sisterless.—For thou wert fled, My only, my beloved, my sainted one,— Twin of my spirit! and my numbered days Must wear the sable of that midnight hour Which rent thee from me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SNOW-STORM; SCENE IN A VERMONT WINTER by CHARLES GAMAGE EASTMAN WHAT MY LOVER SAID by HOMER GREENE HIS REQUEST TO JULIA by ROBERT HERRICK THE WHITE SHIPS AND THE RED by ALFRED JOYCE KILMER AIRLY BEACON by CHARLES KINGSLEY A NET TO SNARE THE MOONLIGHT by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY |