Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE DEATH OF GOODY NURSE, by ROSE TERRY COOKE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The chill new england sunshine Last Line: "father forgive,"" he said." Subject(s): Nourse, Rebecca; Salem, Massachusetts; Witchcraft & Witches | ||||||||
THE chill New England sunshine Lay on the kitchen floor; The wild New England north wind Came rattling at the door. And by the wide old fire-place, Deep in her cushioned chair, Lay back an ancient woman, With shining snow-white hair. The peace of God was on her face, Her eyes were sweet and calm, And when you heard her earnest voice It sounded like a psalm. In all the land they loved her well; From country and from town Came many a heart for counsel, And many a soul cast down. Her hands had fed the hungry poor With blessing and with bread; Her face was like a comforting From out the Gospel read. So weak and silent as she lay, Her warm hands clasped in prayer, A sudden knocking at the door Came on her unaware. And as she turned her hoary head, Beside her chair there stood Four grim and grisly Puritans -- No visitants for good. They came upon her like a host, And bade her speak and tell Why she had sworn a wicked oath To serve the powers of hell; To work the works of darkness On children of the light, A witch they might not suffer here Who read the Word aright. Like one who sees her fireside yawn, A pit of black despair, Or one who wakes from quiet dreams Within a lion's lair, She glared at them with starting eyes, Her voice essayed no sound; She gasped like any hunted deer The eager dogs surround. "Answer us!" hoarse and loud they cry; She looked from side to side -- No human help -- "Oh, gracious God!" In agony she cried. Then, calling back her feeble life, The white lips uttered slow, "I am as pure as babe unborn From this foul thing, ye know. "If God doth visit me for sin, Beneath His rod I bend," But pitiless and wroth were they, And bent upon their end. They tortured her with taunt and jeer, They vexed her night and day -- No husband's arm nor sister's tears Availed their rage to stay. Before the church they haled her then; The minister arose And poured upon her patient head The worst of all its woes: He bade her be accursed of God Forever here and there; He cursed her with a heavy curse No mortal man may bear. She stood among the cowering crowd As calm as saints in heaven, Her eyes as sweet as summer skies, Her face like summer's even. The devils wrought their wicked will On matron and on maid. "Thou hast bewitched us!" cried they all, But not a word she said. They fastened chains about her feet, And carried her away; For many days in Salem jail Alone and ill she lay She heard the scythe along the field Ring through the fragrant air, She smelt the wild-rose on the wind That bloweth everywhere. Reviled and hated and bereft, The soul had plenteous rest, Though sorrow like a frantic flood Beat sore upon her breast. At last the prison door stood wide, They led the saint abroad; By many an old familiar place Her trembling footsteps trod. Till faint with weakness and distress, She climbed a hillside bleak, And faced the gallows built thereon, Still undisturbed and meek. They hanged this weary woman there, Like any felon stout; Her white hairs on the cruel rope Were scattered all about. The body swung upon the tree In every flitting wind, Reviled and mocked by passengers And folk of evil mind. A woman old and innocent, To die a death of shame, With kindred, neighbors, friends thereby, And none to utter blame. Oh, God, that such a thing should be On earth which Thou hast made! A voice from heaven answered me, "Father forgive," He said. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WILD WITCHES' BALL by JACK PRELUTSKY POT MACABRE by DONALD DAVIDSON CHANSON INNOCENTE: 2, FR. TULIPS by EDWARD ESTLIN CUMMINGS TWO WITCHES: 1. THE WITCH OF COOS by ROBERT FROST TWO WITCHES: 2. THE PAUPER WITCH OF GRAFTON by ROBERT FROST THE WITCH IN THE GLASS by SARAH MORGAN BRYAN PIATT THE DRUM: THE NARRATIVE OF THE DEMON OF TEDWORTH by EDITH SITWELL |
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