STANZAS.—THE TOMB.
Few years ago I shunn'd the tomb,
And turn'd me from a tablet-stone;
I shiver'd in the churchyard gloom,
And sicken'd at a bleaching bone.
And turn'd me from a tablet-stone;
I shiver'd in the churchyard gloom,
And sicken'd at a bleaching bone.
Then all were round my warm young heart—
The kindred tie—the cherish'd form;
I knew not what it was to part,
And give them to the dust and worm.
The kindred tie—the cherish'd form;
I knew not what it was to part,
And give them to the dust and worm.
But soon I lost the gems of earth,
I saw the dearest cold in death:
And sorrow changed my joyous mirth
To searing drops and sobbing breath.
I saw the dearest cold in death:
And sorrow changed my joyous mirth
To searing drops and sobbing breath.
I stood by graves all dark and deep,
Pale, voiceless, rapt in mute despair;
I left my soul's adored to sleep
In stirless, dreamless slumber there.
Pale, voiceless, rapt in mute despair;
I left my soul's adored to sleep
In stirless, dreamless slumber there.
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