Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A SOLILOQUY WRITTEN IN A COUNTRY CHURCHYARD, by JAMES FORDYCE First Line: Struck with religious awe and solemn dread Last Line: What we must shortly beand you are now. Subject(s): Death; Dead, The | ||||||||
Struck with religious awe and solemn dread, I view these gloomy mansions of the dead. Around me tombs in mixed disorder rise, And in mute language teach me to be wise. Time was, these ashes liveda time must be When others thus may standand look at me. Alarming thought! no wonder 'tis we dread O'er these uncomfortable vaults to tread. Perhaps that skull, so horrible to view, Was some fair maid's, ye belles, as fair as you: These hollow sockets two bright orbs contained, Where the loves sported, and in triumph reigned; Here glowed the lips; there white as Parian stone, The teeth, disposed in beauteous order shone. This is life's goalno farther can we view; Beyond it all is wonderful and new. Oh, deign! some courteous ghost, to let us know, What we must shortly beand you are now. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND CALIFORNIA CITY LANDSCAPE by CARL SANDBURG |
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