Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LINES ON THE DEATH OF CHARLES LAMB by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR

Poet Analysis

First Line: ONCE, AND ONCE ONLY, HAVE I SEEN THY FACE
Last Line: I'D SPRING TO EARLIER AT THE GATE OF HEAVEN.
Subject(s): DEATH; LAMB, CHARLES (1775-1834); DEAD, THE;
Once, and once only, have I seen thy face,
Elia! once only has thy tripping tongue
Run o'er my breast, yet never has been left
Impression on it stronger or more sweet.
Cordial old man! what youth was in thy years,
What wisdom in thy levity, what truth
In every utterance of that purest soul!
Few are the spirits of the glorified
I'd spring to earlier at the gate of heaven.



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