The Bridge of Sighs (Hood)

by Thomas Hood

For works with similar titles, see The Bridge of Sighs.

One more Unfortunate,
      Weary of breath,
Rashly importunate,
      Gone to her death!

Take her up tenderly,
      Lift her with care;
Fashion'd so slenderly
      Young, and so fair!

Look at her garments
Clinging like cerements;
Whilst the wave constantly
      Drips from her clothing;
Take her up instantly,
      Loving, not loathing.

Touch her not scornfully;
Think of her mournfully,
      Gently and humanly;
Not of the stains of her,
All that remains of her
      Now is pure womanly.

Make no deep scrutiny
Into her mutiny
      Rash and undutiful:
Past all dishonour,
Death has left on her
      Only the beautiful.

Still, for all slips of hers,
      One of Eve's family
Wipe those poor lips of hers
      Oozing so clammily.

Loop up her tresses
      Escaped from the comb,
Her fair auburn tresses;
Whilst wonderment guesses
      Where was her home?

Who was her father?
      Who was her mother?
Had she a sister?
      Had she a brother?
Or was there a dearer one
Still, and a nearer one
      Yet, than all other?

Alas! for the rarity
Of Christian charity
      Under the sun!
O, it was pitiful!
Near a whole city full,
      Home she had none.

Sisterly, brotherly,
Fatherly, motherly
      Feelings had changed:
Love, by harsh evidence,
Thrown from its eminence;
Even God's providence
      Seeming estranged.

Where the lamps quiver
So far in the river,
      With many a light
From window and casement,
From garret to basement,
She stood, with amazement,
      Houseless by night.

The bleak wind of March
      Made her tremble and shiver;
But not the dark arch,
Or the black flowing river:
Mad from life's history,
Glad to death's mystery,
      Swift to be hurl'd
Anywhere, anywhere
      Out of the world!

In she plunged boldly
No matter how coldly
      The rough river ran
Over the brink of it,
Picture it think of it,
      Dissolute Man!
Lave in it, drink of it,
      Then, if you can!

Take her up tenderly,
      Lift her with care;
Fashion'd so slenderly,
      Young, and so fair!

Ere her limbs frigidly
Stiffen too rigidly,
      Decently, kindly,
Smooth and compose them;
And her eyes, close them,
      Staring so blindly!

Dreadfully staring
      Thro' muddy impurity,
As when with the daring
Last look of despairing
      Fix'd on futurity.

Perishing gloomily,
Spurr'd by contumely,
Cold inhumanity,
Burning insanity,
      Into her rest.
Cross her hands humbly
As if praying dumbly,
      Over her breast!

Owning her weakness,
      Her evil behaviour,
And leaving, with meekness,
      Her sins to her Saviour!