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Poem
April 9, 1851
Richmond Daily Times
Richmond, Virginia
What is this article about?
A lyrical elegy by Alice Carey mourning the death of Lilly Lee, expressing profound and enduring love compared to natural affinities, and the speaker's vigil until her passing.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
THE DAILY TIMES.
LILLY LEE.
BY ALICE CAREY.
I did love thee, Lilly Lee,
As the petrel loves the sea,
As the wild bee loves the thyme,
As the poet loves the rhyme,
As the blossom loves the dew—
But the angels loved thee too.
Once, when twilight's dying head
Prest her golden sheeted bed.
And the silent stars drew near,
White and tremulous with fear,
While the night's repelling frown
Strangled the young zephyr down,
Told I all my love to thee,
Hoping, fearing, Lilly Lee.
Fluttered then her gentle breast,
With a troubled sweet unrest,
Like a bird too near the net,
Which the fowler's hand hath set;
But her mournful eyes the while,
And her spirit speaking smile,
Told me love could not depart
Death's pale arrow from the heart.
Hushing from that very day
Passion pleading to have sway,
Folding close her little hand,
Watched I with her till the sand.
Crumbling from beneath her tread
Lowered her softly to the dead,
Where in peace she waits for me,
Sweetest, dearest Lilly Lee.
As the chased hart loves the wave,
As blind silence loves the grave,
As the penitent loves prayer,
As pale passion loves despair,
Loved I, and still love I thee,
Angel-stolen Lilly Lee.
LILLY LEE.
BY ALICE CAREY.
I did love thee, Lilly Lee,
As the petrel loves the sea,
As the wild bee loves the thyme,
As the poet loves the rhyme,
As the blossom loves the dew—
But the angels loved thee too.
Once, when twilight's dying head
Prest her golden sheeted bed.
And the silent stars drew near,
White and tremulous with fear,
While the night's repelling frown
Strangled the young zephyr down,
Told I all my love to thee,
Hoping, fearing, Lilly Lee.
Fluttered then her gentle breast,
With a troubled sweet unrest,
Like a bird too near the net,
Which the fowler's hand hath set;
But her mournful eyes the while,
And her spirit speaking smile,
Told me love could not depart
Death's pale arrow from the heart.
Hushing from that very day
Passion pleading to have sway,
Folding close her little hand,
Watched I with her till the sand.
Crumbling from beneath her tread
Lowered her softly to the dead,
Where in peace she waits for me,
Sweetest, dearest Lilly Lee.
As the chased hart loves the wave,
As blind silence loves the grave,
As the penitent loves prayer,
As pale passion loves despair,
Loved I, and still love I thee,
Angel-stolen Lilly Lee.
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Love Courtship
What keywords are associated?
Lilly Lee
Enduring Love
Death Mourning
Angel Stolen
Lyrical Elegy
What entities or persons were involved?
By Alice Carey
Poem Details
Title
Lilly Lee
Author
By Alice Carey
Subject
Mourning The Death Of Lilly Lee
Form / Style
Rhymed Lyrical Stanzas
Key Lines
I Did Love Thee, Lilly Lee,
As The Petrel Loves The Sea,
As The Wild Bee Loves The Thyme,
As The Poet Loves The Rhyme,
As The Blossom Loves The Dew—
But The Angels Loved Thee Too.
Loved I, And Still Love I Thee,
Angel Stolen Lilly Lee.