Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 38. THE MORROW'S MESSAGE, by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI


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THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 38. THE MORROW'S MESSAGE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thou ghost,' I said, 'and is thy name today?'
Last Line: "and thrice,--whereby the shadow of death is dead."
Alternate Author Name(s): Rossetti, Gabriel Charles Dante
Subject(s): Death; Despair; Love; Dead, The


"THOU Ghost," I said, "and is thy name To-day?--
Yesterday's son, with such an abject brow!--
And can To-morrow be more pale than thou?"
While yet I spoke, the silence answered: "Yea,
Henceforth our issue is all grieved and grey,
And each beforehand makes such poor avow
As of old leaves beneath the budding bough
Or night-drift that the sundawn shreds away."

Then cried I: "Mother of many malisons,
O Earth, receive me to thy dusty bed!"
But therewithal the tremulous silence said:
"Lo! Love yet bids thy lady greet thee once:--
Yea, twice,--whereby thy life is still the sun's;
And thrice,--whereby the shadow of death is dead."





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