The Bridge of Sighs

One more

Weary of

Rashly importunate,

Gone to her death!

Take her up tenderly;

Lift her with care;

Fashion'd so slenderly,

Young, and so fair!

Look at her

Clinging like cerements;

Whilst the wave

Drips from her clothing;

Take her up instantly,

Loving, not loathing.

Touch her not scornfully;

Think of her mournfully,

Gently and humanly;

Not of the stains of her —All that remains of

Now is pure womanly.

Make no deep

Into her

Rash and undutiful:

Past all dishonour,

Death has left on

Only the beautiful.

Still, for all slips of hers,

One of Eve's family—Wipe those poor lips of

Oozing so clammily.

Loop up her

Escaped from the comb,

Her fair auburn tresses;

Whilst wonderment

Where was her home?

Who was her father?

Who was her mother?

Had she a sister?

Had she a brother?

Or was there a dearer

Still, and a nearer

Yet, than all other?

Alas! for the

Of Christian

Under the Sun!

O! it was pitiful!

Near a whole city full,

Home she had none.

Sisterly, brotherly,

Fatherly,

Feelings had changed:

Love, by harsh evidence,

Thrown from its eminence;

Even God's

Seemed estranged.

Where the lamps

So far in the river,

With many a

From window and casement,

From garret to basement,

She stood, with amazement,

Houseless by night.

The bleak wind of

Made her tremble and shiver;

But not the dark arch,

Or the black flowing river:

Mad from life's history,

Glad to death's

Swift to be hurl'd—Anywhere,

Out of the world!

In she plunged boldly,

No matter how

The rough river ran,

Over the brink of it,—Picture it, think of it,

Dissolute Man!

Lave in it, drink in it,

Then, if you can!

Ere her limbs

Stiffen too rigidly,

Decently, kindly,

Smooth and compose them;

And her eyes, close them,

Staring so blindly!

Dreadfully

Thro' muddy impurity,

As when with the

Last look of

Fix'd on futurity.

Perishing gloomily,

Spurr'd by contumely,

Cold inhumanity,

Burning insanity,

Into her rest.—Cross her hands

As if praying dumbly,

Over her breast!

Owning her weakness,

Her evil behaviour,

And leaving, with meekness,

Her sins to her Saviour!