Classic Poem

O Day! He cannot die
When thou so fair art shining;
O Sun! in such a glorious sky
So tranquilly declining,

" He cannot leave thee now
While fresh west-winds are blowing,
And all around his youthful brow
Thy cheerful light is glowing!

" Elbi,1 awake, awake!*
The golden evening gleams
Warm and bright on Arden's2 lake,
Arouse thee from thy dreams!

" Beside thee, on my knee,
My dearest friend, I pray
That thou, to cross the eternal sea
Wouldst yetone hour delay!*

" I hear its billows roar,
I see them foaming high,
But no glimpse of a further shore
Has blessed my straining eye.

" Believe not what they urge
Of Eden isles beyond;
Turn back, from that tempestuous surge,
To thy own native land!

" It is not Death, but pain
That struggles in thy breast;
Nay, rally, Elbi, rouse again,*
I cannot let thee rest!

One long look, that sore reproved me
For the woe I could not bear —
One mute look of suffering moved me
To repent my useless prayer;

And with sudden check, the heaving
Of distraction passed away;
Not a sign of further grieving
Stirred my soul that awful day.

Paled at last, that sweet sun setting;*
Sank to peace the gentle breeze;*
Summer dews fell softly, wetting
Glen and glade, and silent trees.

Then his eyes began to weary,
Weighed beneath a mortal sleep;
And their light grew strangely dreary,*
Clouded, even as they would weep;

But they wept not, but they changed not,
Never moved and never closed;
Troubled still, and still they ranged not,
Wandered not, nor yet reposed!

So I knew that he was dying —
Stooped and raised his languid head —
Felt no breath and heard no sighing,
So, I knew that he was dead.1 Probably Alexander, Lord of Elbi.2 Written over the name " Elnor's " in the manuscript.