Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A TIME TO MOURN, by AUGUSTA DAVIES WEBSTER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A TIME TO MOURN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Methinks if sorrow's shadow fell
Last Line: For weariness must sleep.
Alternate Author Name(s): Home, Cecil; Webster, Mrs. Julia Augusta
Subject(s): Mourning; Bereavement


METHINKS if sorrow's shadow fell
Darkly upon my life,
I would not struggle with the spell:
'Tis true, forgetfulness were well,
But they who strive with thought can tell
How vain, how sad the strife.

Methinks that if I lost a friend,
I would not seek to fill
The vacant place, nor would I bend
My strength to bid my mourning end,
And Memory in the tomb descend,
E'en would she work my will.

But I my loss would so brood o'er,
It should not seem to be,
So should remembrance bring before
Mine eye the loved one, so restore
The friend, far off sometimes before,
Then never far from me.

Methinks I would not seek to hide
The knowledge of a woe
From mine own heart, though they may chide
Who can do this, and turn aside
Their thoughts, nor let in their stern pride
Themselves their suffering know.

But freely I hot tears would shed,
Till I no more could weep,
Would think how happiness had fled,
Mourn till my heart I had wept dead,
And sorrow that had bowed my head,
For weariness must sleep.








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