Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PAUPER'S DEATH-BED, by CAROLINE ANNE BOWLES SOUTHEY Poet's Biography First Line: Tread softly - bow the head Last Line: Wakes with his god. Alternate Author Name(s): Bowles, Caroline Anne Subject(s): Poverty | ||||||||
Tread softly! -- bow the head -- In reverent silence bow! -- No passing bell doth toll, Yet an immortal soul Is passing now. Stranger! however great, With lowly reverence bow: There's one in that poor shed -- One by that paltry bed, Greater than thou. Beneath that beggar's roof, Lo! Death doth keep his state; Enter! -- no crowds attend -- Enter! -- no guards defend This palace-gate! That pavement damp and cold, No smiling courtiers tread; One silent woman stands Lifting with meagre hands A dying head. No mingling voices sound -- An infant wail alone; A sob suppress'd -- again That short deep gasp, and then The parting groan. Oh, change! oh, wondrous change -- Burst are the prison bars -- This moment there, so low, So agonized, and now Beyond the stars! Oh, change -- stupendous change! There lies the soulless clod: The sun eternal breaks -- The new immortal wakes -- Wakes with his God. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WEALTH OF THE DESTITUTE by DENISE LEVERTOV EMPTY PITCHFORKS by THOMAS LUX FUNERAL SERVICE by EVE MERRIAM A SMALL COUNTRY by CLARIBEL ALEGRIA DOCUMENTAL by CLARIBEL ALEGRIA NOTES ON POVERTY by HAYDEN CARRUTH SONG OF TWO CROWS by HAYDEN CARRUTH PENCIL STUB JOURNALS: CHOICES by JOHN CIARDI AT LAST WE KILLED THE ROACHES by LUCILLE CLIFTON THE YOUNG GRAY HEAD by CAROLINE ANNE BOWLES SOUTHEY |
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