Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE DEAD FRIEND, by ROBERT SOUTHEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Not to the grave, not to the grave, my soul Last Line: There will be joy in grief. Variant Title(s): Communings Subject(s): Death; Friendship; Dead, The | ||||||||
NOT to the grave, not to the grave, my soul Descend to contemplate The form that once was dear! The spirit is not there Which kindled that dead eye, Which throbb'd in that cold heart, Which in that motionless hand Hath met thy friendly grasp. The spirit is not there! It is but lifeless, perishable flesh That moulders in the grave; Earth, air, and water's ministering particles Now to the elements Resolved, their uses done. Not to the grave, not to the grave, my soul, Follow thy friend beloved; The spirit is not there! Often together have we talk'd of death; How sweet it were to see All doubtful things made clear; How sweet it were with powers Such as the Cherubim, To view the depth of heaven! O Edmund! thou hast first Begun the travel of eternity! I look upon the stars, And think that thou art there, Unfetter'd as the thought that follows thee. And we have often said how sweet it were With unseen ministry of angel power, To watch the friends we loved. Edmund! we did not err! Sure I have felt thy presence! Thou hast given A birth to holy thought, Hast kept me from the world unstain'd and pure. Edmund! we did not err! Our best affections here, They are not like the toys of infancy; The soul outgrows them not; We do not cast them off; O, if it could be so, It were indeed a dreadful thing to die! Not to the grave, not to the grave, my soul, Follow thy friend beloved! But in the lonely hour, But in the evening walk, Think that he companies thy solitude; Think that he holds with thee Mysterious intercourse; And though remembrance wake a tear, There will be joy in grief. | 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 BISHOP BRUNO by ROBERT SOUTHEY |
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