Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THEKLA AT HER LOVER'S GRAVE, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THEKLA AT HER LOVER'S GRAVE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thy voice was in my soul! It called me on
Last Line: Be with the past!
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Graves; Mourning; Tombs; Tombstones; Bereavement


THY voice was in my soul! it called me on;
O my lost friend! thy voice was in my soul:
From the cold, faded world whence thou art gone,
To hear no more life's troubled billows roll,
I come, I come!

Now speak to me again! we loved so well --
We loved! oh! still, I know that still we love!
I have left all things with thy dust to dwell,
Through these dim aisles in dreams of thee to rove:
This is my home!

Speak to me in the thrilling minster's gloom!
Speak! thou hast died, and sent me no farewell!
I will not shrink; oh! mighty is the tomb,
But one thing mightier, which it cannot quell,
This woman's heart!

This lone, full, fragile heart! -- the strong alone
In love and grief -- of both the burning shrine!
Thou, my soul's friend! with grief hast surely done,
But with the love which made thy spirit mine,
Say, couldst thou part? --

I hear the rustling banners; and I hear
The wind's low singing through the fretted stone;
I hear not thee; and yet I feel thee near --
What is this bound that keeps thee from thine own?
Breathe it away!

I wait thee -- I adjure thee! hast thou known
How I have loved thee? couldst thou dream it all?
Am I not here, with night and death alone,
And fearing not? and hath my spirit's call
O'er thine no sway?

Thou canst not come! or thus I should not weep!
Thy love is deathless -- but no longer free!
Soon would its wing triumphantly o'ersweep
The viewless barrier, if such power might be,
Soon, soon, and fast!

But I shall come to thee! our soul's deep dreams,
Our young affections, have not gushed in vain;
Soon in one tide shall blend the severed streams,
The worn heart break its bonds -- and death and pain
Be with the past!





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