THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS. "Drown'd! drown'd!"-HAMLET. ONE more Unfortunate, Take her up tenderly, Look at her garments Touch her not scornfully; All that remains of her Make no deep scrutiny Rash and undutiful: Past all dishonour, Death has left on her Only the beautiful. Still, for all slips of hers, Wipe those poor lips of hers Loop up her tresses Escaped from the comb, Her fair auburn tresses; Whilst wonderment guesses Where was her home? Who was her father? Who was her mother? Had she a sister? Had she a brother? Or was there a dearer one Still, and a nearer one Yet, than all other? Alas! for the rarity Oh! it was pitiful! Sisterly, brotherly, Fatherly, motherly Where the lamps quiver From window and casement, The bleak wind of March But not the dark arch, Glad to death's mystery, In she plunged boldly, Lave in it, drink of it, Take her up tenderly, Ere her limbs frigidly Smooth, and compose them: Dreadfully staring Perishing gloomily, Cross her hands humbly Owning her weakness, And leaving, with meekness, THE SONG OF THE SHIRT. WITH fingers weary and worn, In poverty, hunger, and dirt, And still with a voice of dolorous pitch She sang the "Song of the Shirt!" "Work! work! work! While the cock is crowing aloof! And work-work-work, Till the stars shine through the roof! Along with the barbarous Turk, Where woman has never a soul to save, If this is Christian work! "Work-work-work Till the brain begins to swim; Till the eyes are heavy and dim! |