Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LAMENT OF JOSEPHINE, by MARY ELIZABETH HEWITT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LAMENT OF JOSEPHINE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The empress! - what's to me the empty name!
Last Line: Hath o'er their ruin leapt to liberty!
Alternate Author Name(s): Moore, Mary Elizabeth
Subject(s): Love - Loss Of


"They parted as all lovers part --
She with her wrong'd and breaking heart;
But he, rejoieing he is free,
Bounds like the captive from his chain,
And wilfully believing she
Hath found her liberty again." -- L. E. L.

THE EMPRESS! -- what's to me the empty name!
This regal state -- this glittering pageant-life?
A tinsell'd cheat! -- Am I not crown'd with shame?
Shorn of my glorious name, NAPOLEON'S WIFE!
Set with a bauble here to play my part,
And shroud with veil of pomp my breaking heart.

'T is mockery! -- thought is with the days ere thou,
Seeking the world's love, unto mine grew cold --
Ere yet the diadem entwined my brow,
Tightening around my brain its serpent fold --
When each quick life-pulse throbbed, unschool'd of art,
When my wide empire was Napoleon's heart!

My spirit quails before this loneliness --
Why did no warning thought within me rise,
Telling thy hand would stay its fond caress
To wreathe the victim for the sacrifice!
That joy, the dove so to my bosom prest,
Would change to this keen vulture at my breast!

Parted forever! -- who hath dared make twain
Those HE hath join'd? -- the nation's mighty voice!
And thou hast bounded forward from thy chain,
Like the freed captive, -- therefore, heart! rejoice
Above the ashes of thy hopes, that he
Hath o'er their ruin leapt to liberty!





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