Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LAST NIGHT WITH THE DEAD by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON

Poet Analysis

First Line: HOW AWFUL IS THE PRESENCE OF THE DEAD!
Last Line: IN LOSING THOSE WHO LOVED US.
Subject(s): DEATH; DEAD, THE;
HOW awful is the presence of the dead!
The hours rebuked, stand silent at their side;
Passions are hushed before that stern repose;
Two, and two only, sad exception share --
Sorrow and love, -- and these are paramount.
How deep the sorrow, and how strong the love!
Seeming as utterly unfelt before.
Ah! parting tries their depths. At once arise
Affection's treasures, never dreamed till then.
Death teaches heavy lessons hard to bear;
And most it teaches us what we have lost,
In losing those who loved us.



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