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Poem
October 4, 1820
The Rhode Island Republican
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
A reflective elegy on the solemnity of a funeral, the anguish of parting from a beloved friend, the procession to the grave, and the ultimate healing provided by Heaven.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
THE FUNERAL.
How solemn is the scene, when friends draw near
To pay to parted worth the funeral tear!
How precious are the sacred tears that rise,
And flow successive from the mourners' eyes!
How solemn is the sight—('tis so to me)—
Extended in the "narrow house" to see
The pale precursor of our certain doom,
A silent votary for the lurid tomb!
No language can describe, no tongue can tell,
The heart's keen anguish at the last farewell,
When the lid closes on the faded face,
Where late serenely smiled each softer grace.
Placed on the sable hearse, the mournful throng,
In sad procession slowly move along—
Bowed down with sorrow to the grave repair,
And leave their fellow friend to moulder there.
Then home return,—Oh! what a blank appears,
The heart then gives the newly remaining tears;
How gloomy all, where late so sweetly smiled,
The lovely friend, that every care beguiled!
Those who have lost what worlds cannot supply,
Can give the sympathetic tear and sigh;
Tho' friendship can a soothing balm impart,
'Tis Heaven alone can heal a mourner's heart.
How solemn is the scene, when friends draw near
To pay to parted worth the funeral tear!
How precious are the sacred tears that rise,
And flow successive from the mourners' eyes!
How solemn is the sight—('tis so to me)—
Extended in the "narrow house" to see
The pale precursor of our certain doom,
A silent votary for the lurid tomb!
No language can describe, no tongue can tell,
The heart's keen anguish at the last farewell,
When the lid closes on the faded face,
Where late serenely smiled each softer grace.
Placed on the sable hearse, the mournful throng,
In sad procession slowly move along—
Bowed down with sorrow to the grave repair,
And leave their fellow friend to moulder there.
Then home return,—Oh! what a blank appears,
The heart then gives the newly remaining tears;
How gloomy all, where late so sweetly smiled,
The lovely friend, that every care beguiled!
Those who have lost what worlds cannot supply,
Can give the sympathetic tear and sigh;
Tho' friendship can a soothing balm impart,
'Tis Heaven alone can heal a mourner's heart.
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Friendship
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Funeral
Mourning
Grief
Death
Friendship
Sympathy
Heaven
Poem Details
Title
The Funeral.
Subject
Funeral Of A Friend
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
How Solemn Is The Scene, When Friends Draw Near
To Pay To Parted Worth The Funeral Tear!
No Language Can Describe, No Tongue Can Tell,
The Heart's Keen Anguish At The Last Farewell,
When The Lid Closes On The Faded Face,
Where Late Serenely Smiled Each Softer Grace.
Tho' Friendship Can A Soothing Balm Impart,
'Tis Heaven Alone Can Heal A Mourner's Heart.