Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN DUE OBSERVANCE OF AN ANCIENT RITE, by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN DUE OBSERVANCE OF AN ANCIENT RITE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
Last Line: And joy returns, to brighten fortitude
Subject(s): Death – Children; Faith


In due observance of an ancient rite,
The rude Biscayans, when their children lie
Dead in the sinless time of infancy,
Attire the peaceful corse in vestments white;
And, in like sign of cloudless triumph bright,
They bind the unoffending creature's brows
With happy garlands of the pure white rose:
Then do a festal company unite
In choral song; and, while the uplifted cross
Of Jesus goes before, the child is borne
Uncovered to his grave: 'tis closed,--her loss
The Mother then mourns, as she needs must mourn;
But soon, through the Christian faith, is grief subdued:
And joy returns, to brighten fortitude.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net