Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ON THE DEATH OF A CAT, by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Who shall tell the lady's grief? Last Line: Nor disturb her narrow bed. Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina Subject(s): Animals; Cats; Death; Grief; Dead, The; Sorrow; Sadness | ||||||||
Who shall tell the lady's grief When her Cat was past relief? Who shall number the hot tears Shed o'er her, beloved for years? Who shall say the dark dismay Which her dying caused that day? Come, ye Muses, one and all, Come obedient to my call. Come and mourn, with tuneful breath, Each one for a separate death; And while you in numbers sigh, I will sing her elegy. Of a noble race she came, And Grimalkin was her name. Young and old full many a mouse Felt the prowess of her house: Weak and strong full many a rat Cowered beneath her crushing pat: And the birds around the place Shrank from her too close embrace. But one night, reft of her strength, She laid down and died at length: Lay a kitten by her side, In whose life the mother died. Spare her line and lineage, Guard her kitten's tender age, And that kitten's name as wide Shall be known as her's that died. And whoever passes by The poor grave where Puss doth lie, Softly, softly let him tread, Nor disturb her narrow bed. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONOMA FIRE by JANE HIRSHFIELD AS THE SPARKS FLY UPWARDS by JOHN HOLLANDER WHAT GREAT GRIEF HAS MADE THE EMPRESS MUTE by JUNE JORDAN CHAMBER MUSIC: 19 by JAMES JOYCE DIRGE AT THE END OF THE WOODS by LEONIE ADAMS IT IS FINISHED' by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI ITALIA, IO TI SALUTO!' by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE HEART KNOWETH ITS OWN BITTERNESS' (2) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI |
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