HUSHED within her quiet bed She is lying all the night, In her pallid robes of white, Eyelids on the pure eyes pressed, Soft hands folded on the breast, -- And you thought I meant it -- dead? Nay! I smile at your shocked face: In the morning she will wake, Turn her dreams to sport, and make All the household glad and gay, Yet for many a merry day, With her beauty and her grace. But some summer 't will be said, -- "She is lying all the night, In her pallid robes of white, Eyelids on the tired eyes pressed, Hands that cross upon the breast:" We shall understand it -- dead! Yet 't will only be a sleep: When, with songs and dewy light, Morning blossoms out of night, She will open her blue eyes 'Neath the palms of Paradise, While we foolish ones shall weep. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AT CASTERBRIDGE FAIR: 3. AFTER THE CLUB-DANCE by THOMAS HARDY CROTALUS by FRANCIS BRET HARTE MISSIONARY HYMN by REGINALD HEBER I AM THE WAY' by ALICE MEYNELL HYMN TO INTELLECTUAL BEAUTY by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY A MARLOW MADRIGAL by JOSEPH ASHBY-STERRY L'AMITIE EST L'AMOUR SANS AILES by GEORGE GORDON BYRON |