Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE IMAGE IN LAVA, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Thou thing of years departed! Last Line: It must, it must be so! Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea Subject(s): Archeology; Bodies; Women | ||||||||
THOU thing of years departed! What ages have gone by Since here the mournful seal was set By love and agony. Temple and tower have mouldered, Empires from earth have passed, And woman's heart hath left a trace Those glories to outlast! And childhood's fragile image, Thus fearfully enshrined, Survives the proud memorials reared By conquerors of mankind. Babe! wert thou brightly slumbering Upon thy mother's breast When suddenly the fiery tomb Shut round each gentle guest? A strange, dark fate o'ertook you, Fair babe and loving heart! One moment of a thousand pangs -- Yet better than to part! Haply of that fond bosom On ashes here impressed, Thou wert the only treasure, child! Whereon a hope might rest. Perchance all vainly lavished Its other love had been, And where it trusted, naught remained But thorns on which to lean. Far better, then, to perish, Thy form within its clasp, Than live and lose thee, precious one From that impassioned grasp. Oh! I could pass all relics Left by the pomps of old, To gaze on this rude monument Cast in affection's mould. Love! human love! what art thou? Thy print upon the dust Outlives the cities of renown Wherein the mighty trust! Immortal, oh! immortal Thou art, whose earthly glow Hath given these ashes holiness -- It must, it must be so! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ARISTOTLE TO PHYLLIS by JOHN HOLLANDER A WOMAN'S DELUSION by SUSAN HOWE JULIA TUTWILER STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN by ANDREW HUDGINS THE WOMEN ON CYTHAERON by ROBINSON JEFFERS TOMORROW by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD LADIES FOR DINNER, SAIPAN by KENNETH KOCH GOODBYE TO TOLERANCE by DENISE LEVERTOV A DIRGE (1) by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS |
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