Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.

V. Death and Bereavement

“Farewell, Life”

Thomas Hood (1799–1845)

FAREWELL, life! my senses swim,

And the world is growing dim;

Thronging shadows cloud the light,

Like the advent of the night,—

Colder, colder, colder still,

Upward steals a vapor chill;

Strong the earthly odor grows,—

I smell the mold above the rose!

Welcome, life! the spirit strives!

Strength returns and hope revives;

Cloudy fears and shapes forlorn

Fly like shadows at the morn,—

O’er the earth there comes a bloom;

Sunny light for sullen gloom,

Warm perfume for vapor cold,—

I smell the rose above the mold!