Thomas Cole's poetry the collected poems of America's foremost painter of the Hudson River School reflecting his feelings for nature and the romantic spirit of the Nineteenth Century |
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 | Thomas Cole's poetry |  |
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81.
Lines occasioned by the death of Miss M. A. W.
The greedy tomb hath op'ned once again
To snatch away that which we dearly prize
Our loves our friendships, all, alas! seem vain
For all we love, and cherish, quickly dies—
To snatch away that which we dearly prize
Our loves our friendships, all, alas! seem vain
For all we love, and cherish, quickly dies—
Death the unsparing hath again stretch'd forth
His icy hand—blighted a budding flower.
So young, so beautiful, of so much worth
We almost deem'd her rais'd beyond his power.
His icy hand—blighted a budding flower.
So young, so beautiful, of so much worth
We almost deem'd her rais'd beyond his power.
The undrain'd cup of life from which she drank
Was at its sweetest when 'twas dash'd away
The flower was just at opening as it sank
Beneath the chilling blight's untimely sway.
Was at its sweetest when 'twas dash'd away
The flower was just at opening as it sank
Beneath the chilling blight's untimely sway.
“Mourn not the virtuous dead”: it hath been spoken;
But what shall stop the sluices of our grief;
Or heal affection's wounds so newly broken;
Or offer to our hearts a quick relief—
But what shall stop the sluices of our grief;
Or heal affection's wounds so newly broken;
Or offer to our hearts a quick relief—
Not for her sake break forth our sighs of wo
(She dwells in bliss supreme) but for our own,
Still bound by earthly chains, to pains below,
Wilst she exalted sits beside th' Almighty's throne.
(She dwells in bliss supreme) but for our own,
Still bound by earthly chains, to pains below,
Wilst she exalted sits beside th' Almighty's throne.
T. Cole
| Thomas Cole's poetry | |