Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1839/The Last Request
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THE LAST REQUEST.
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THE LAST REQUEST.
"The solemnities of a dying chamber are some of the most melancholy scenes imaginable: there lies the affectionate husband, the indulgent parent, the faithful friend, and the generous master. He lies in the last extremities, and on the very point of dissolution. Art has done it all. The raging disease mocks the power of medicine. It hastens, with resistless impetuosity, to execute its dreadful errand: to rend asunder the silver cord of life, and the more delicate tie of social attachment, and conjugal affection."—Hervey.
Sinking on his couch he lies—
Pale his lips, and dim his eyes;
Yet he hath a little breath—
Love is stronger still than death.
Yet his faltering accents seek
Of the heart within to speak—
Of a love that cannot die—
Of a hope beyond the sky.
Near him stands his youngest one,
Fearing what he looks not on;
Fearing, though he knows not why,
With a strange and downcast eye.
But his sister, on the bed
Bendeth her despairing head.
Must her father be resigned—
He, so careful, and so kind?
Never more with eager feet
Will she haste that sire to meet,
Laden with the early flowers
Which he loved, of April hours.
But the wife beside his bed
Calmly holds his dying head.
Full her heart of tears may be—
They are not for him to see.
For the sake of gone-by years,
Filled with mutual hopes and fears—
For the sake of that loved brow,
She is calm as he is now.
Angel-wings in glory sweep
O’er the coming of that sleep—
Let him close his weary eyes,
They will open in the skies.