" THE evening passes fast away, 'Tis almost time to rest; What thoughts has left the vanished day, What feelings, in thy breast? " The vanished day? It leaves a sense Of labour hardly done; Of little, gained with vast expense, -- A sense of grief alone! " Time stands before the door of Death, Upbraiding bitterly; And Conscience, with exhaustless breath, Pours black reproach on me: " And though I've said that Conscience lies, And Time should Fate condemn; Still, sad Repentance clouds my eyes, And makes me yield to them! " Then art thou glad to seek repose? Art glad to leave the sea, And anchor all thy weary woes In calm Eternity? " Nothing regrets to see thee go -- Not one voice sobs ' farewell,' And where thy heart has suffered so, Canst thou desire to dwell?" " Alas! The countless links are strong That bind us to our clay; The loving spirit lingers long, And would not pass away! " And rest is sweet, when laurelled fame Will crown the soldier's crest; But, a brave heart, with a tarnished name, Would rather fight than rest." " Well, thou hast fought for many a year, Hast fought thy whole life through, Hast humbled Falsehood, trampled Fear; What is there left to do? " " 'Tis true, this arm has hotly striven, Has dared what few would dare; Much have I done, and freely given, But little learnt to bear! " " Look on the grave, where thou must sleep, Thy last, and strongest foe; It is endurance not to weep, If that repose seem woe. " The long war closing in defeat, Defeat serenely borne, Thy midnight rest may still be sweet, And break in glorious morn! " | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BUCOLIC COMEDY: EARLY SPRING by EDITH SITWELL THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD: SONG by OLIVER GOLDSMITH THE IRISH SPINNING-WHEEL by ALFRED PERCEVAL GRAVES THE GRAVES OF A HOUSEHOLD by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS OLD KING COLE by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON |