Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WIDOW; SAPPHICS, by ROBERT SOUTHEY



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WIDOW; SAPPHICS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Cold was the night wind, drifting fast the snow fell
Last Line: God had released her.
Subject(s): Begging & Beggars; Cold; Death; God; Salvation; Widows & Widowers; Dead, The


COLD was the night wind, drifting fast the snows fell,
Wide were the downs and shelterless and naked,
When a poor wanderer struggled on her journey
Weary and way-sore.

Drear were the downs, more dreary her reflections;
Cold was the night wind, colder was her bosom!
She had no home, the world was all before her,
She had no shelter.

Fast o'er the bleak heath rattling drove a chariot,
'Pity me!' feebly cried the poor night-wanderer.
'Pity me, strangers! lest with cold and hunger
Here I should perish.

'Once I had friends,—but they have all forsook me!
Once I had parents,—they are now in heaven!
I had a home once—I had once a husband—
Pity me, strangers!

'I had a home once—I had once a husband—
I am a widow poor and broken-hearted!'
Loud blew the wind, unheard was her complaining,
On drove the chariot.

On the cold snows she laid her down to rest her;
She heard a horseman, 'pity me!' she groaned out;
Loud blew the wind, unheard was her complaining,
On went the horseman.

Worn out with anguish, toil and cold and hunger,
Down sunk the wanderer, sleep had seized her senses;
There did the traveller find her in the morning,
God had released her.





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