The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
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O DEATH
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| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
 | The Poetical Works of George Barlow |  |
176
O DEATH
O Death in some green hollow of mountain-ranges,
By some calm sea,
Hast thou no haven of hope that never changes,
No place for me?
By some calm sea,
Hast thou no haven of hope that never changes,
No place for me?
Hast thou no valley fair with silver fountains
Where I may rest?
No lake that limns its deep imbosoming mountains
In liquid breast?
Where I may rest?
No lake that limns its deep imbosoming mountains
In liquid breast?
Shall I not wake some quiet morn and find thee,
Lure thee to me;
Cling to thy neck, O true love Death, and bind thee
With lover's glee?
Lure thee to me;
Cling to thy neck, O true love Death, and bind thee
With lover's glee?
Thou art gentle of heart and all who love may trust thee,
Thou wilt not fail;
No mastering force hath power aside to thrust thee,
Time's self turns pale.
Thou wilt not fail;
No mastering force hath power aside to thrust thee,
Time's self turns pale.
177
The russet stems of summer flowers obey thee
When summer goes;
No tenderest words, no blossom-pleas delay thee,
Thou steal'st the rose.
When summer goes;
No tenderest words, no blossom-pleas delay thee,
Thou steal'st the rose.
Thou art great of soul and o'er the hills thou sweepest,
O'er sea and air;
Along the violet-scented vales thou leapest
And leav'st them bare.
O'er sea and air;
Along the violet-scented vales thou leapest
And leav'st them bare.
And me too singer of tragic things, and weary,
Thou shalt redeem:
Save from the dreamer's pang, the endless dreary
Faith in a dream.
Thou shalt redeem:
Save from the dreamer's pang, the endless dreary
Faith in a dream.
O greater singer than I, and far more fateful,
On me who weep
Take pity and grant for songful life and hateful
A songless sleep.
On me who weep
Take pity and grant for songful life and hateful
A songless sleep.
1880.
| The Poetical Works of George Barlow | |