Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume III. Sorrow and Consolation. 1904. | | | | V. Death and Bereavement | | “Softly woo away her breath” | | Bryan Waller Procter (Barry Cornwall) (1787–1874) |
| | | SOFTLY woo away her breath, | |
| Gentle death! | |
| Let her leave thee with no strife, | |
| Tender, mournful, murmuring life! | |
| She hath seen her happy day,— | 5 |
| She hath had her bud and blossom; | |
| Now she pales and shrinks away, | |
| Earth, into thy gentle bosom! | |
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| She hath done her bidding here, | |
| Angels dear! | 10 |
| Bear her perfect soul above, | |
| Seraph of the skies,—sweet love! | |
| Good she was, and fair in youth; | |
| And her mind was seen to soar, | |
| And her heart was wed to truth: | 15 |
| Take her, then, forevermore,— | |
| Forever—evermore— | | | | |
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