Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WRITTEN ON RETURNING TO THE P. OF I. ON 10 JANUARY 1827, by EMILY JANE BRONTE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WRITTEN ON RETURNING TO THE P. OF I. ON 10 JANUARY 1827, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The busy day has hurried by
Last Line: And never shall be more!
Alternate Author Name(s): Bell, Ellis


The busy day has hurried by
And hearts greet kindred hearts once more
And swift the evening hours should fly
But what turns every gleaming eye
So often to the door?

And then so quick away -- and why
Does sudden silence chill the room?
And laughter sink into a sigh --
And merry words to whispers die --
And gladness change to gloom?

O we are listening for a sound
We know shall ne'er be heard again
Sweet voices in the halls resound;
Fair forms, fond faces gather round
But all in vain -- in vain!

Their feet shall never waken more
The echoes in these galleries wide,
Nor dare the snow on the mountain's brow,
Nor skim the river's frozen flow,
Nor wander down its side --

They who have been our life -- our soul --
Through summer-youth, from childhood's spring --
Who bound us in one vigorous whole
To stand 'gainst Tyranny's control
For ever triumphing --

Who bore the brunt of battle's fray
The first to fight, the last to fall
Whose mighty minds -- with kindred ray
Still led the van in Glory's way --
The idol chiefs of all --

They, they are gone! not for a while
As golden suns at night decline
And even in death our grief beguile
Foretelling, with a rose-red smile
How bright the morn will shine --

No these dark towers are lone and lorn;
This very crowd is vacancy;
And we must watch and wait and mourn
And half look out for their return;
And think their forms we see --

And fancy music in our ear
Such as their lips could only pour
And think we feel their presence near
And start to find they are not here
And never shall be more!





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