208 THE FUNERAL OF THE FORSAKEN. Oh, would that thou hadst passed me by, in coldness or in pride, KENNEDY. THE FUNERAL OF THE FORSAKEN. HE gorgeous sun is fading fast, The languid flowers are closed in sleep; Blent with the murmurs of the gale Come notes the silence to dispel, The funeral bell. The church is gained, the grave appears; The unconscious dead, his trials o'er, Hath reached that home where grief or fears Touch him no more. The priest comes forth-looks round-for where Are they who sorrow o'er the bier? No choking sob of wild despair Falls on the ear. Where is the fond and changeless friend, The tender parent, loving wife; Ties which to death such anguish lend, Such charm to life? 210 THE DESERTED. Yet another winter day, And the snowy flower is flown; And the year is gone! Gone, where all have gone before, To the sea without a shore ! Time, that endless, endless river, Floweth still through joy and bale, Leaving all that lived for ever All the seasons pale, Deed, and thought, and purpose high, Where Oblivion's people lie. Kings, who dwelt in clouded power, Conquerors crowned with murdered foes, Wits and sages of an hour, Even beauty's rose Faded is and lost at last; Gone where all the world hath passed! ANON. THE DESERTED. H, mine be the shade which no eye might discover, THE DESERTED. For no refuge remains to that lone heart but breaking, The silence of grief or the solace of tears. Though the skies of my youth are now dark and o'erclouded, As the snowflake that meets with, to melt in the wave, Then welcome, thrice welcome, the long wakeless slumber Nor misery pierces, nor sorrows encumber The turf where the cypress-tree waves in its gloom : And, perhaps, if long-smothered remorse should awaken, And affection return to the heart it hath fled, The pity denied to a maiden forsaken May be lavished in vain o'er the turf of the dead! Farewell the gay prospects which once could allure me, Dear, sad recollections, are constantly bringing, M. MOIR. 211 |