Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, RIDDLE ON THE LETTER H (1), by CATHERINE MARIA FANSHAWE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

RIDDLE ON THE LETTER H (1), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Twas whispered in heaven, 'twas muttered in hell
Last Line: Oh! Breathe on it softly, it dies in an hour.
Variant Title(s): Enigma On The Letter H;a Letter For You;enigma
Subject(s): H (letter Of Alphabet); Riddles


'TWAS whispered in Heaven, 'twas muttered in Hell,
And echo caught softly the sound as it fell;
In the confines of earth 'twas permitted to rest,
And the depth of the ocean its presence confessed;
'Twas seen in the lightning, 'twas heard in the thunder,
'Twill be found in the spheres when they're riven asunder;
'Twas given to man with his earliest breath,
It assists at his birth and attends him in death,
Presides o'er his happiness, honour, and health,
'Tis the prop of his house and the end of his wealth;
It begins every hope, every wish it must bound,
With the husbandman toils, and with monarchs is crowned;
In the heaps of the miser 'tis hoarded with care,
But is sure to be lost in the prodigal heir;
Without it the soldier and sailor may roam,
But woe to the wretch who expels it from home:
In the whispers of conscience it there will be found,
Nor e'er in the whirlwind of passion be drowned;
It softens the heart, and though deaf to the ear,
It will make it acutely and instantly hear;
But in shades let it rest, like an elegant flower,
Oh! breathe on it softly, it dies in an hour.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net