John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
5825 Fitz-Greene Hallek 1790-1867 John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 5825 |
| AUTHOR: | Fitz-Greene Halleck (1790–1867) |
| QUOTATION: | Come to the bridal chamber, Death! Come to the mother’s, when she feels For the first time her first-born’s breath! Come when the blessed seals That close the pestilence are broke, And crowded cities wail its stroke! Come in consumption’s ghastly form, The earthquake shock, the ocean storm! Come when the heart beats high and warm, With banquet song, and dance, and wine! And thou art terrible!—the tear, The groan, the knell, the pall, the bier, And all we know or dream or fear Of agony are thine. |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Marco Bozzaris. |