Felicia Hemans in The New Monthly Magazine Volume 25 1829/Thekla at her Lover's Grave
The New Monthly Magazine, Volume 25, Page 76
THEKLA AT HER LOVER'S GRAVE.*[1]
"Thither where he lies buried!
That single spot is the whole world to me."
Coleridge's Wallenstein.
Thy voice was in my soul!—it call'd me on—
O, my lost Friend! thy voice was in my soul.
From the cold faded world, whence thou art gone
To hear no more life's troubled billows roll,
I come, I come!
Now speak to me again!—we lov'd so well—
We lov'd!—oh! still, I know that still we love!
I have left all things with thy dust to dwell,
Through these dim aisles in dreams of Thee to rove.
This is my Home!
Speak to me in the thrilling Minster's gloom!
Speak!—Thou hast died and sent me no farewell!
I will not shrink:—oh! mighty is the Tomb,
But one thing mightier, which it cannot quell—
This woman's heart!
This lone, full, fragile heart!—the strong alone
In Love and Grief—of both the burning shrine!
Thou, my Soul's friend! with Grief hast surely done,
But with the Love which made thy spirit mine,
Say, couldst Thou part?
I hear the rustling banners; and I hear
The wind's low singing through the fretted stone;
I hear not Thee—and yet I feel thee near—
What is this bound that keeps thee from thine own?
Breathe it away!
I wait thee—I adjure thee!—hast Thou known
How I have lov'd thee!—couldst Thou dream it all?
Am I not here, with Night and Death alone,
And fearing not?—and hath my Spirit's call
O'er Thine no sway?
Thou canst not come—or thus I should not weep!
Thy Love is deathless—but no longer free!
Soon would its wing triumphantly o'ersweep
The viewless barrier, if such power might be;
Soon, soon, and fast!
But I shall come to thee—to thee, dear Friend!
Our young affection hath not flow'd in vain;
In one bright stream the sever'd waves shall blend,
The worn heart break its bonds—and Death and Pain
Be with the Past!
F. H.
- ↑ * See Wallenstein, Act 5th.