AS slow and solemn yonder deepening knell Tolls through the sullen evening's shadowy gloom, Alone and pensive, in my silent room, On man and on mortality I dwell. And as the harbinger of death I hear, Frequent and full, much do I love to muse On life's distemper'd scenes of hope and fear; And passion varying her chameleon hues, And man pursuing pleasure's empty shade, 'Till death dissolves the vision. So the child In youth's gay morn with wondering pleasure smil'd, As with the shining ice well-pleas'd he play'd; Nor, as he grasps the crystal in his play, Heeds how the faithless bauble melts away. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HERITAGE by GWENDOLYN B. BENNETT THANATOPSIS by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT THE NEW CHURCH ORGAN by WILLIAM MCKENDREE CARLETON HER LETTER by FRANCIS BRET HARTE DAWN ON THE HILLS (FROM A HOTEL WINDOW) by LILLIAN ATCHERSON |