Death & Dying

On Reading Coleridge's Epitaph

by Felicia Hemans 1793–1835

From Records of the Autumn of 1834

Death & Dying

Spirit! so oft in radiant freedom soaring
High through seraphic mysteries unconfined,
And oft, a diver through the deep of mind,
Its caverns, far below its waves, exploring;
And oft such strains of breezy music pouring,
As, with the floating sweetness of their sighs,
Could still all fevers of the heart, restoring
Awhile that freshness left in Paradise;
Say, of those glorious wanderings what the goal?
What the rich fruitage to man’s kindred soul
From wealth of thine bequeathed? O strong and high,
And sceptred intellect! thy goal confess’d
Was the Redeemer’s Cross--thy last bequest
One lesson breathing thence profound humility!

MLA

Hemans, Felicia. “On Reading Coleridge's Epitaph.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/hemans/571/.

Chicago

Hemans, Felicia. “On Reading Coleridge's Epitaph.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/hemans/571/.

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