 | The ghost's entry and other poems |  |
28
THE UNBIDDEN GUEST
ON THE DEATH OF A BRIDE
Ah, many a door He jars with welcome knock!
To the o'erburthened breast,
Through the dark hall, His footstep gives no shock,
But seems a sound of rest.
To the o'erburthened breast,
Through the dark hall, His footstep gives no shock,
But seems a sound of rest.
O Uninvited! every street hath such,
Enough, enough for Thee!
Hunger and Cold, they bless Thy kindred touch,
And ask Thy company!
Enough, enough for Thee!
Hunger and Cold, they bless Thy kindred touch,
And ask Thy company!
... Lo, one glad house by Love had lighted been
With his first, soft, sweet Moon,
And Life, the Bidden Guest, had just come in—
Followed by Thee how soon!
With his first, soft, sweet Moon,
And Life, the Bidden Guest, had just come in—
Followed by Thee how soon!
29
Sudden the lamps grow dark, a stealthy cold
Palsies the joyous room;—
The young man's place is taken by the old,
Dark, deaf, dumb, sightless Groom!
Palsies the joyous room;—
The young man's place is taken by the old,
Dark, deaf, dumb, sightless Groom!
The marriage greetings falter in speechless pain;
Blithe bells, your toll we hear! ...
The bridal party, 'tis her funeral train;
The bridal bed 's her bier!
Blithe bells, your toll we hear! ...
The bridal party, 'tis her funeral train;
The bridal bed 's her bier!
| The ghost's entry and other poems | |