Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CONTRASTED SCENES FROM REAL LIFE, by JANET HAMILTON Poet's Biography First Line: See yonder gorgeous fane, its doors expand Last Line: Thy potent aidbe still the outcast's friend! Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson Subject(s): Life; Marriage; Wealth; Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Riches; Fortunes | ||||||||
SCENE I. MARRIAGE OF SIR R. PEEL WITH LADY E. HAY. SEE yonder gorgeous fane, its doors expand, Throng'd with the rank, wealth, beauty of the land; And high-born bridesmaids, with a beauteous bride, Are there, the titled bridegroom by her side. And diamonds flash, and white plumes wave between, And lustrous silks, and robes of satin sheen, And snowy clouds of richest, rarest lace Float round rare forms of loveliness and grace. Earl and countess, lord and lady fair, Wait at the altar the hymeneal pair. The vows are spoken, and a husband's kiss Has sealed the pledge of wedded love and bliss And kisses, blessings, smiles on every side, Are showered upon the fair and noble bride. She, blushing, tearful as a dewy rose, Leans on the arm belov'd as forth she goes To mount her gilded chariot, swift away For home, and love whirls on the cortege gay. Ah, happy bride! though now to thee is given Earth's best and brightest; at the throne of heaven The meanest female of the human race Shall occupy with thee an equal place. SCENE II.THE INCIDENT IS TAKEN FROM "HOUSEHOLD WORDS." 'Tis night in Londondimly gleam the lamps Through murky fogs and chilly, drizzling damps; Tenacious mud o'erspreads the slimy street, And clogs the walker's slow exploring feet. But 'tis not time, nor place, nor scene, nor hour, Can damp the soul that owns sweet Pity's power, Nor bid from scenes of want and woe depart, Nor freeze the founts of love that warm the heart. Go on, large-hearted Son of Genius, go! Look till thy heart is pained, thine eyes o'erflow. Oh! 'tis a sight to sicken and appal, Crouched on the miry stones, against the wall Of yon dark pile, five huddled masses lean, But sight, nor sound, nor form of life is seen. Lift up the shrouding ragsa female face Is seen; there human feeling leaves no trace; A dreary blank is o'er the features spread The very sense of want and pain is dead; Excess of misery all her powers hath numbed, And 'neath the crushing load she hath succumbed; "And who, and what art thou? and who are those That round thee crouch in torpornot repose?" With feeble voice she spoke, and eyes half closed: "I know them not, save that we were exposed Three wintry nightsback from the workhouse driven Like things accursed of men, and lost to heaven!" "Knowest thou the farthest twainwith arms entwined Like broken imagestheir heads reclined Each on the other?" "Sisters young, they say, To Destitution's darkest ills a prey." "And who the next?" "She from the country came, And found no choice of life but want or shame." Dickens, thy graphic pencil paints with power The crimes, the follies, and the woes that lower And taint our moral atmosphere; still lend Thy potent aidbe still the outcast's friend! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ALL LIFE IN A LIFE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS FOUR POEMS ABOUT JAMAICA: 3. A HAIRPIN TURN ABOVE READING, JAMAICA by WILLIAM MATTHEWS IMAGINE YOURSELF by EVE MERRIAM THE PROPHET by LUCILLE CLIFTON I AM FIFTY-TWO YEARS OLD' by KENNETH REXROTH LAST VISIT TO THE SWIMMING POOL SOVIETS by KENNETH REXROTH PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR AS A YOUNG ANARCHIST by KENNETH REXROTH A BALLAD FOUNDED ON A REAL INCIDENT WHICH OCCURED IN HIGH LIFE by JANET HAMILTON |
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