History of a Life

Bryan Waller Procter (Barry Cornwall) (1787–1874)

DAY dawned;—within a curtained room,

Filled to faintness with perfume,

A lady lay at point of doom.

Day closed;—a Child had seen the light:

But, for the lady fair and bright,

She rested in undreaming night.

Spring rose;—the lady’s grave was green;

And near it, oftentimes, was seen

A gentle Boy with thoughtful mien.

Years fled;—he wore a manly face,

And struggled in the world’s rough race,

And won at last a lofty place.

And then he died! Behold before ye

Humanity’s poor sum and story;

Life,—Death,—and all that is of Glory.