Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MADRIGAL by WILLIAM DRUMMOND OF HAWTHORNDEN

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE BEAUTY AND THE LIFE
Last Line: CRIED, AH! AND CAN DEATH ENTER PARADISE?
Subject(s): SLEEP;
THE beauty and the life
Of life's and beauty's fairest paragon
-- O tears! O grief! -- hung at a feeble thread
To which pale Atropos had set her knife;
The soul with many a groan
Had left each outward part,
And now did take his last leave of the heart:
Naught else did want, save death, ev'n to be dead;
When the afflicted band about her bed,
Seeing so fair him come in lips, cheeks, eyes,
Cried, ah! and can death enter paradise?


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