Poems (Hooper)/Genesis, Chapter V.

by Lucy Hamilton Hooper

GENESIS, CHAPTER V.

I had a vision in the midnight hour: The long departed ones of Earth stood at my side,And from their pallid lips sad accents came,    "We died—we died!"

First spoke a regal shape, whose dim pale brow Still wore majestic its imperial pride:"I gathered crowns as children gather flow'rs,    And lo—I died!"

And then another spoke: "A poet I, I sang—the Future's echoing halls replied.I dreamed of Immortality, and lo,    I waked and died!"

Then spoke another: "Golden was my dream. Wealth poured around me in resplendent tide;I wooed and won the world with glittering gifts,    And then I died."

And still another: "I was loved, I loved. I launched Life's bark on Love's enchanted tide;Heav'n smiled upon me from a woman's eyes,—    Alas! I died."

And then another: "Round my mould'ring brow Still cling the roses withered in their pride;I grasped bright Pleasure's cup, but ere 'twas drained    I died—I died!"

And then the vision vanished. Through the night The passing wind like one bereavéd sighed,And distant voices, far and fading, moaned,    "We died—we died!"