The year runs through her phases; rain and sun, Springtime and summer pass; winter succeeds; But one pale season rules the house of death. Cold falls the imprisoned daylight; fell disease By each lean pallet squats, and pain and sleep Toss gaping on the pillows. But O thou! Uprise and take thy pipe. Bid music flow, Strains by good thoughts attended, like the spring The swallows follow over land and sea. Pain sleeps at once; at once, with open eyes, Dozing despair awakes. The shepherd sees His flock come bleating home; the seaman hears Once more the cordage rattle. Airs of home! Youth, love and roses blossom; the gaunt ward Dislimns and disappears, and, opening out, Show brooks and forests, and the blue beyond Of mountains. Small the pipe; but O! do thou, Peak-faced and suffering piper, blow therein The dirge of heroes dead; and to these sick, These dying, sound the triumph over death. Behold! each greatly breathes; each tastes a joy Unknown before, in dying; for each knows A hero dies with him -- though unfulfilled, Yet conquering truly -- and not dies in vain. So is pain cheered, death comforted; the house Of sorrow smiles to listen. Once again -- O thou, Orpheus and Heracles, the bard And the deliverer, touch the stops again! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHURCH MONUMENTS by GEORGE HERBERT ON THE NEW FORCES OF CONSCIENCE UNDER THE LONG PARLIAMENT by JOHN MILTON TO HIS HEART, BIDDING IT HAVE NO FEAR by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS THE ABSTINENT LOVER by ABUL BAHR FRAGMENT OF AN 'ANTIGONE' by MATTHEW ARNOLD |