The Forest Sanctuary, and Other Poems/He never smiled again

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
For other versions of this work, see He never smiled again.


HE NEVER SMILED AGAIN*[1].




It is recorded of Henry the First, that after the death of his son, Prince William, who perished in a shipwreck off the coast of Normandy, he was never seen to smile.



The bark that held a prince went down,
    The sweeping waves roll'd on;
And what was England's glorious crown
    To him that wept a son?
He lived—for life may long be borne
    Ere sorrow break its chain;—
Why comes not death to those who mourn?
    —He never smiled again!


There stood proud forms around his throne,
    The stately and the brave,
But which could fill the place of one,
    That one beneath the wave?
Before him pass'd the young and fair,
    In pleasure's reckless train,
But seas dash'd o'er his son's bright hair—
    —He never smiled again!

He sat where festal bowls went round;
    He heard the minstrel sing,
He saw the Tourney's victor crown'd,
    Amidst the knightly ring:
A murmur of the restless deep
    Was blent with every strain,
A voice of winds that would not sleep—
    —He never smiled again!

Hearts, in that time, clos'd o'er the trace
    Of vows once fondly pour'd,
And strangers took the kinsman's place
    At many a joyous board;

Graves which true love had bath'd with tears,
    Were left to Heaven's bright rain,
Fresh hopes were born for other years—
    —He never smiled again!

  1. *Originally published in the Literary Gazette.